On a tragic December evening in 2019, the life of 19-year-old Kimberly Dawn Meeks, a Caucasian female from Coffeyville, Kansas, was cut short by an act of violence. On December 14th, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Meeks was walking with a male companion near the intersection of Laurel and Main streets in Independence, Kansas. Suddenly, a car approached, and an occupant opened fire, striking Meeks. The vehicle then sped away, leaving a scene of chaos and heartbreak.
The man with Meeks fled the area. A resident who heard the gunshots promptly called 911. Despite the quick response from law enforcement, Kimberly Meeks was pronounced dead at the scene from gunshot wounds.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation was quickly brought in to assist the Independence Police Department and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office in the homicide investigation. Their collective efforts led to a swift breakthrough in the case. The day after the shooting, on December 15th, authorities arrested 18-year-old Benjamin J. Mason at his home in Coffeyville. He was taken into custody and booked into the Montgomery County Jail on a charge of first-degree murder.
In the wake of this senseless act, Kimberly Meeks was remembered as a recent graduate of Coffeyville's Field Kindley High School with plans to attend Coffeyville Community College. Those who knew her recalled a vibrant young woman who enjoyed cheerleading, softball, and volleyball. She was described as always smiling and someone who loved being with people.
The legal process moved forward, and in December 2021, Benjamin Job Mason II, then 20, entered a no-contest plea to one count of first-degree murder in Montgomery County District Court. The plea was accepted, and he was subsequently sentenced for his role in the drive-by shooting that ended the promising life of Kimberly Meeks. The investigation, which involved multiple law enforcement agencies including the U.S. Postal Inspectors, brought a resolution to the case, though it could never undo the profound loss suffered by her family and friends.
