On January 21, 2017, police in Kansas City, Missouri, launched a homicide investigation following the discovery of a body in the 8200 block of Troost Avenue. The victim was identified as 58-year-old male Raymond C. Jones, a veteran who had been living in the area. Officers were dispatched to the scene around midnight, where they found Jones unresponsive in the street near a Family Dollar store.
He had sustained fatal gunshot wounds, and despite the response of emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators quickly pieced together the events leading to the shooting through witness accounts and surveillance footage from local businesses. It was determined that earlier in the evening, Jones had been involved in a verbal altercation with an acquaintance inside a nearby apartment. During the dispute, Jones allegedly punched the other man in the nose. The other individual, identified as Thomas Earl Midgette Jr., left the residence shortly after the physical confrontation. Jones also departed the apartment to walk to a nearby store.
Surveillance video played a crucial role in identifying the suspect and establishing a timeline. The footage reportedly showed Midgette, 54, following Jones as he walked down the street. The video captured Midgette approaching Jones, at which point the victim fell to the ground. Midgette was then seen standing over Jones and discharging a weapon. A witness later told police that Midgette had made ominous comments after the incident, implying that Jones would no longer be seen around. When questioned by detectives, Midgette initially denied involvement but eventually confessed after being confronted with the video evidence.
Thomas Earl Midgette Jr. was arrested and charged in connection with the killing. Jackson County prosecutors initially filed charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action against him. In November 2018, Midgette pleaded guilty to reduced charges, including second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm. In March 2019, a Jackson County judge sentenced him to life imprisonment for the murder charge, with concurrent sentences of 30 years for armed criminal action and seven years for the weapons offense.
