On November 1, 2016, police in Kansas City, Missouri, were called to a residence in the 3500 block of Lexington Avenue following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers discovered the body of 34-year-old Dustin Harris, who had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the chest. The incident reportedly took place in the basement of the home, where Harris and several other individuals had gathered.
Witnesses at the scene described a chaotic sequence of events that began with a planned narcotics transaction involving methamphetamine.
According to investigative reports, the transaction involved a man known to the witnesses only as 'OG.' This individual had arrived at the Lexington Avenue location in a white Ford pickup truck shortly before the shooting. Witnesses stated that during the exchange in the basement, 'OG' attempted to snatch the drugs from Harris, leading to a physical struggle between the two men. During the scuffle, the assailant produced a firearm and fired a single shot, striking Harris. The shooter then fled the scene, leaving Harris critically injured; he was later pronounced dead.
Detectives launched an investigation to identify the man known as 'OG.' One witness provided a crucial lead, explaining that she had met the suspect the previous day at a local recycling center. Investigators followed up on this information by reviewing surveillance footage from the facility and interviewing employees, which allowed them to identify the suspect as Michael T. Lomax. Further evidence was gathered through cell phone records, which placed a device linked to Lomax in the immediate vicinity of the crime scene at the time of the murder. Additionally, a witness successfully identified Lomax in a photo lineup.
In November 2017, approximately one year after the homicide, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office announced charges against Michael T. Lomax in connection with the death of Dustin Harris. Lomax was charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm. At the time of the charges, Lomax was already in custody at the Jackson County Detention Center. During questioning, he admitted to meeting one of the witnesses at the recycling center but denied being present at the Lexington Avenue home or having any involvement in the killing.
