On a September morning in Kansas City, Missouri, the life of 18-year-old Joseph Michael Bonacorso was tragically cut short. The young man, a student at Staley High School, was fatally shot on September 24, 2023, in an incident that authorities have described as stemming from domestic violence. Joseph, a male, was at a home in the Northland section of the city when the violent encounter unfolded.
The circumstances leading to the fatal shooting involved a domestic dispute between Joseph's
mother and her husband, Steven Lester Woods. Following a confrontation, Joseph was called to the residence. An altercation occurred, during which Woods allegedly shot his stepson. When police arrived at the home on Northeast 119th Terrace, they found Joseph Michael Bonacorso deceased.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Steven Lester Woods was taken into custody by law enforcement. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder in the death of his stepson. In addition to the murder charge, Woods also faces counts of first-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon. He is currently awaiting trial for the alleged crimes. The case has brought to light a history of domestic turbulence and has left a community mourning the loss of a young life.
