On November 2, 2017, 65-year-old Michael Wayne Cantwell, a longtime electrician and resident of Blue Springs, Missouri, was found with fatal gunshot wounds in Kansas City. The male victim, known to his friends and family as Mike, was discovered in the 2500 block of Quincy. Born in Topeka, Kansas, he was a member of the IBEW Local #124 for most of his career.
He was known for his love of riding motorcycles and his deep affection for his family and friends.
An investigation into the shooting led to the apprehension of a suspect. Jerome T. Roberson was subsequently charged with Murder in the 2nd Degree and Armed Criminal Action for his alleged role in Michael Cantwell's death. Witnesses reported to the Kansas City police that they either saw Roberson shooting into Cantwell's vehicle or heard the gunshots and then found the victim inside his vehicle.
At the time of his arrest on November 13, 2017, Roberson was also charged in connection with another fatal shooting that had occurred on October 28, 2017, in Independence, Missouri, where Brandon R. Brown was killed. For each of the murder warrants, prosecutors requested a cash bond of $500,000.
