On the afternoon of December 8, 2023, Curtis Ray Cruse, Jr., a 35-year-old Black/African American male, was fatally shot in St. Joseph, Missouri. The incident that led to his death began as a disturbance between Cruse and another man, 25-year-old Nathan L. Keegan, as they were driving on U.S. 36. The conflict escalated when both men pulled their vehicles into the parking lot of a Speedy's gas station located at 1310 Riverside Road.
In the parking lot, the altercation continued,
culminating in Keegan allegedly firing shots that struck Cruse. When law enforcement arrived at the scene around 4:20 p.m., they found Cruse unresponsive on the ground, surrounded by a group of people. Witnesses at the scene identified Keegan as the shooter. Cruse was shot in the back and succumbed to his injuries. There were passengers in both vehicles, but they were unharmed.
Following the shooting, Nathan L. Keegan of Kansas City, Missouri, was promptly arrested by the St. Joseph Police Department. An officer found a loaded handgun in the driver's seat of the vehicle Keegan had been near. Keegan was subsequently charged with second-degree murder. He made his initial court appearance shortly after the arrest and was held at the Buchanan County Jail on a fifty-thousand-dollar bond. A bond review and preliminary hearing were scheduled for December 18th.
Curtis Cruse was a beloved member of the St. Joseph community, known for his infectious smile and helpful nature. A graduate of Lafayette High School, he was a standout athlete in football, basketball, and track. He remained active in sports throughout his life, playing in dart and softball leagues, bowling, and coaching his daughters' sports teams. He was a married father of five children and had just started a carpentry apprentice program. He was also involved in his family's barbecue business and was a member of the Faith Family Worship Center. In the wake of his death, a GoFundMe campaign was established to provide financial support for his wife and children.
