In the late afternoon of February 23, 2025, police in Independence, Missouri, were dispatched to a residence on the 9700 block of E. Winner Road following reports of a shooting. The situation appeared dire, with initial information suggesting there were injured individuals inside the home and an armed person who was refusing to come out. The gravity of the call prompted the deployment of a SWAT team to the scene.
Upon their strategic entry into the house, they discovered a tragic outcome: two men were found deceased.
One of the victims was identified as 41-year-old Steven Ray Johnson of Excelsior Springs. The other man was 35-year-old Ernest Naler from Kansas City, Missouri. Johnson, who was born on February 14, 1984, was described by those who knew him as a free spirit who lived by the motto, 'Live for today, don't worry about tomorrow.' He was a father to his children, William Noah and Shealynn Ray, and was survived by his parents, Les and Wanita Johnson, as well as a brother and sister.
During the initial investigation at the scene of the double homicide, a third man was located inside the residence and taken into custody. This individual was transported to a local hospital to be treated for injuries that were not considered life-threatening. However, a few days later, the man was released from custody as the police investigation continued.
As of the latest available information, no charges have been filed in the deaths of Steven Ray Johnson and Ernest Naler. The Independence Police Department has stated that the investigation remains active but has not publicly disclosed any further details regarding potential suspects or the circumstances that led to the shooting. The case remains an unsolved double homicide, leaving friends and family of both victims awaiting answers.
