On July 14, 2016, a violent confrontation occurred in Kansas City, Missouri, claiming the life of 37-year-old Javon A. Looney, a Black male. The incident took place late that evening outside a residence in the 5700 block of East 39th Street, where Looney was present with a female acquaintance.
Witnesses reported that a green Firebird pulled up to the location, and a man exited the vehicle armed with a handgun.
The individual approached Looney and the woman, and after a brief exchange of words, he opened fire on them. The assailant returned to his vehicle as if to leave but then stopped, stepped back out, and fired additional shots at the victims before driving away from the scene.
Looney suffered fatal gunshot wounds and died as a result of the attack. The woman he was with was also struck multiple times and sustained serious injuries. She was rushed to a hospital where she underwent surgery. Upon recovering the ability to speak, she was able to identify the shooter to detectives, corroborating information provided by other witnesses.
Police identified the suspect as 27-year-old Justin G. Harrison of Kansas City. Following the investigation, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office charged Harrison with first-degree murder for the death of Looney, first-degree assault for the shooting of the surviving victim, and two counts of armed criminal action. A bond of $750,000 was requested by prosecutors in connection with the charges.
