News Summary
Zechariah Hoskins-Ellis, a 26-year-old from Kansas City, faces second-degree murder charges in connection with a shooting that left 25-year-old Zackery Matthews dead. The incident, which occurred during a dispute nearby East 73rd Street, escalated quickly, leading to Matthews being shot in the head. Hoskins-Ellis was arrested on multiple charges and found with illegal drugs at the time. The case highlights ongoing concerns about gun violence and community safety.
Kansas City – Zechariah Hoskins-Ellis, a 26-year-old resident of Kansas City, has been formally charged with second-degree murder in connection with a shooting incident that took place on May 16. The charges, announced by Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson, also include two counts of armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. Hoskins-Ellis is currently being held on a $500,000 bond.
The shooting occurred near East 73rd Street and South Benton Avenue, where 25-year-old Zackery Matthews was found lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head. Matthews, who was employed as a construction worker, was on-site at a house when the incident unfolded. Emergency responders were called to the scene at approximately 4:14 PM and transported Matthews to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries three days later, on May 19.
Witnesses at the scene reported that an argument had erupted between Matthews and Hoskins-Ellis shortly before the shooting. According to the probable cause statement, the situation escalated after Matthews returned to the residence to confront Hoskins-Ellis about a previous remark. Reports indicate that Hoskins-Ellis left the argument momentarily to retrieve a firearm from his truck and subsequently shot Matthews in the head.
Following the shooting, a friend of Hoskins-Ellis was reportedly seen searching for what might have been a shell casing beneath Matthews’s vehicle. Neighbors in the area heard the sound of gunfire followed by a woman’s scream around the time of the incident. Investigators collected evidence, including footage from a doorbell camera, which captured a truck with a trailer containing multiple ATVs at the scene.
On June 6, Hoskins-Ellis was arrested by law enforcement officials. At the time of his arrest, authorities discovered approximately two pounds of marijuana, a baggie of white powder testing positive for cocaine, unknown pills, and THC edibles in the vehicle he was traveling in. Hoskins-Ellis has a documented criminal history; prior to this incident, he was on probation after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm in May 2020. Court records indicate that he was originally sentenced to seven years in prison, which was suspended, and instead placed on five years of probation.
The case has drawn attention due to the violent nature of the incident and the subsequent charges against Hoskins-Ellis. It also raises questions about gun violence and criminal behavior within the community. As the prosecution moves forward, the involved parties will go through the legal process, which will determine the outcome of the charged offenses.
Residents in the neighborhood have expressed concern regarding safety and the impact of such incidents on their community. As the legal proceedings continue, the focus will remain on justice for the victim, Zackery Matthews, and addressing the broader issues that contribute to gun violence.
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Additional Resources
- Kansas City Star Article
- Wikipedia: Gun violence
- Fox 4 Kansas City Article
- Google Search: Kansas City shooting news
- KMBC Article
- Google Scholar: Gun violence in communities
- KCTV5 Article
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Crime
- KSHB Article
- Google News: Kansas City gun violence
