A man is accused of several serious crimes, including murder, after he was killed in a shooting near a gas station on the border of the Santa Fe and Oak Park Northwest neighborhoods in Kansas City.
The shooting occurred Wednesday in the 3300 block of East Linwood Boulevard.
On Thursday, 30-year-old Lorenzo Johnson was charged with first-degree murder in the death of 33-year-old Michael Dehaan, court records show. In an affidavit, police allege Johnson had committed robberies in the neighborhood before the shooting.
Johnson was also charged with aggravated robbery, unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon, resisting arrest and three counts of armed criminal action.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man, later identified as Dehaan, at the gas pump with a gunshot wound to the head, according to a probable cause affidavit.
According to data collected by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings, the killing is Kansas City’s 97th homicide of the year. By 2023, Kansas City’s deadliest year, there will have been 133 homicides by that time.
Details of the shooting and chase
According to court documents, video surveillance at the gas station allegedly showed a physical altercation between the two men before Johnson shot Dehaan.
Before the shooting, Dehaan could be seen driving into the gas station and parking his Nissan Versa at a pump. Johnson arrived at the gas station in a gold Lincoln Town Car, and a physical altercation ensued between the two, the affidavit states. Johnson then got into Dehaan’s car, and as Dehaan walked to the rear of the vehicle, Johnson allegedly shot him, the affidavit states.
Dehaan fell to the ground and Johnson allegedly drove over Dehaan’s body with the Nissan before leaving the parking lot, the affidavit states.
Earlier in the night, there were several attempted armed robberies and an aggravated assault; the suspect vehicle was a tan Lincoln Town Car, according to court documents.
Police found the Nissan while on patrol and pursued the car before conducting a traffic stop. A female passenger was with Johnson at the time, the affidavit states. Johnson initially stopped, then allegedly pointed a gun at officers and fled, the affidavit states.
Officers pursued Johnson, who was allegedly driving at a high rate of speed. Johnson lost control of the vehicle and skidded at an intersection. The passenger left the car and fled on foot.
The case dragged on for a long time before officers finally forced the Nissan off the road, the affidavit states. Johnson tried to flee on foot but was caught by officers and taken into custody, court documents say.
Johnson is being held without bail. No hearings had been scheduled in the case as of Friday afternoon.
Robert A. Cronkleton of the Star contributed.
