MISSOURI — An Independence teenager has been charged in the murder last night, Jan. 2, 2018, in Independence of Matthew J. Haylock, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.
Tyler J. Gates, 18, faces Murder 2nd Degree and ‘Armed Criminal Action charges.’
According to court records filed today, Independence police responded to an Independence Center parking lot on a reported shooting and found the victim, Matthew J. Haylock, in the parking lot, suffering from gunshot wounds.
A witness told police that Gates was at the shopping center in a vehicle with the victim. He stated Gates pointed the victims’ firearm at the victim and soon after he heard a gunshot. Then he saw the victim slumped over and unresponsive.
Gates asked for help in pushing the victim out of the vehicle. Gates then left the parking lot, keeping the weapon. The vehicle was later located and what appeared to be blood was found in the back seat and handguns were also found in the vehicle. A relative told police that Gates told of being in an altercation last night and stated, “I shot him mom.”
Prosecutors have requested a $250,000 bond.
The investigation is ongoing.
