News Summary
A shooting near West 39th Street and Broadway has led to the arrest of a Center School District employee, Marquis Ponder, who faces charges including second-degree murder. The incident escalated from a prior argument and resulted in the death of Levon Quinn after being shot in the back. Ponder, identified through surveillance footage, had worked as a security guard for the district for two years. Community concerns about gun violence have surged following this tragic event.
Kansas City – A Center School District employee has been charged in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred on Friday, May 23, near West 39th Street and Broadway. Marquis Ponder, 30, faces charges of second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon.
The incident unfolded when Kansas City police received a call around 4 p.m. initially reporting a traffic accident. Responses escalated as officers arrived on the scene and discovered that a shooting had occurred. Two witnesses, both motorcyclists, described hearing a gunshot and observing a man armed with a firearm.
According to reports, Levon Quinn, 30, was seen running from the scene just before the shooting took place. He was subsequently struck by a vehicle, which was identified as his own. After being transported to a local hospital, Quinn passed away shortly after arrival due to injuries sustained from the gunfire.
Surveillance footage from a nearby business played a crucial role in the investigation. The video revealed that an argument had erupted between Ponder and Quinn inside the establishment before escalating outdoors. Records indicated that Quinn entered the business at 3:55 p.m., with Ponder following only a minute later. The video confirmed that both men were seen arguing just before the shooting occurred at 3:58 p.m.
The footage clearly shows Ponder drawing a weapon and shooting Quinn in the back. Following the incident, investigators located a shell casing at the site and a blood trail leading away from it. Quinn managed to escape to his vehicle after being shot and drove away, while Ponder departed the scene in a white Dodge Charger. This vehicle was registered to Ponder, who was identified by witnesses as wearing a blue polo shirt branded with “Center School District” and “Officer Ponder”.
Ponder had been employed as a security guard by the Center School District for two years prior to this incident. Following a felony vehicle check, law enforcement took him into custody around 6 p.m. on the same day of the shooting.
During subsequent police interviews, Ponder made comments suggesting a prior conflict with Quinn, which indicated he was aware that Quinn was not “an innocent man.” Ponder is now being held at the Jackson County Detention Center with a bond set at $500,000. He made his first court appearance on Tuesday afternoon, where the details of the charges against him were formally presented.
This tragic incident has raised concerns within the community surrounding issues of gun violence and public safety, particularly regarding school district employees. Individuals are hoping for swift justice as the case progresses through the legal system.
The Kansas City community awaits further developments in the case and continues to deal with the fallout of this senseless act of violence. Authorities have urged anyone with information related to the incident to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation.
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Additional Resources
- Fox4KC: Family Sues Kansas City Union Station
- Wikipedia: Kansas City
- KCTV5: Multiple Reports of Gunfire in Kansas City
- Google Search: Kansas City shooting
- KMBC: Kansas City Man Killed in Shooting
- Google Scholar: Gun violence Kansas City
- Kansas City Star: Local Crime News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gun Violence
- KSHB: Kansas City Chiefs Rally Shooting Victims
- Google News: Kansas City shootings
