On November 29, 2018, a 21-year-old African American male named Darian D. Jackson was fatally shot during a violent altercation at an apartment complex in Kansas City, Missouri. The incident occurred in the 2600 block of Van Brunt Boulevard, where police were dispatched following reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, officers discovered a chaotic scene with blood outside one of the units and evidence of a shooting inside.
While two other victims were found at the scene and transported to a hospital with gunshot wounds, Jackson had been privately transported to the VA Hospital before being transferred to another area medical center, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that Jackson had arrived at the apartment that evening in the company of 23-year-old Anthony Eskridge. According to witness statements and court records, the two men entered the residence where several people had gathered. Witnesses reported that shortly after their arrival, Eskridge produced a firearm and attempted to rob one of the occupants, demanding their gun. This confrontation escalated into a 'confusing melee' of gunfire. One witness stated that Eskridge fired the first shot, though it was unclear if others returned fire. In the aftermath, Jackson was struck and killed, while two other individuals in the apartment sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Following the investigation, prosecutors from the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office charged Anthony Eskridge with second-degree murder in connection with Jackson's death. Authorities alleged that Jackson was killed as a result of the attempted robbery perpetrated by Eskridge. In addition to the murder charge, Eskridge faced counts of first-degree attempted robbery, two counts of first-degree assault for the wounding of the other occupants, and four counts of armed criminal action. At the time of the charges being filed in December 2018, prosecutors requested a cash bond of $250,000 for the suspect.
