On April 14, 2022, 51-year-old George R. Dale was found deceased in the parking lot of a Cargo Largo store located at 13900 East 35th Street in Independence, Missouri. Police officers were dispatched to the scene where they discovered the male victim inside his vehicle, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, including injuries to his head and neck.
He was pronounced dead at the location.
The investigation revealed that the shooting stemmed from a dispute over a $50 debt that the suspect owed to the victim. A witness who had accompanied Dale to the location told authorities that they had met with the suspect to collect the money. An argument ensued between the two men, escalating until the suspect drew a handgun from his waistband and fired multiple shots at Dale. SURVEILLANCE footage recovered by detectives captured the incident, showing the shooter drawing the weapon and firing into the vehicle. The witness fled the scene immediately after the shooting but later contacted police and identified the shooter from a photo lineup.
Following the witness's identification and further investigation, police focused on 34-year-old Darrel M. Maggard, a convicted felon from Independence. A search warrant executed at Maggard's residence uncovered an assault-style rifle, an assault-style handgun, and a 9mm Glock with an extended magazine. Forensic analysis determined that shell casings found inside Dale's vehicle matched the 9mm Glock seized from Maggard’s home. Additionally, GPS data from an ankle monitor Maggard was wearing due to prior legal matters placed him at the scene during the time of the murder; the device was found discarded near a highway shortly after the crime.
Darrel M. Maggard was taken into custody on April 20, 2022. The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office charged him with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Prosecutors requested that he be held without bond given his previous criminal history, which included convictions for first-degree robbery and armed criminal action.
