(UnitedHeadlines.com) – A Jackson County Circuit Court process server and an Independence, Missouri, police officer were shot and killed when evicting Larry Acree, 68, from his home. Two other Independence police officers were also shot during the incident and are recovering from their injuries.
According to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, court employee Drexel Mack and another civil process server were at the home to evict Acree due to unpaid taxes following a yearlong eviction process that began Feb. 9, 2023.
Officials said they had previously been to the property and took steps to ensure the home was secured and safe. When they knocked, nobody answered, and when they removed the locks from the house, Acree allegedly fired upon them, hitting and killing Mack. Officers, including Independence police officer Cody Allen, 41, were fired upon when they attempted to remove Mack from the property and save his life. Allen was struck and killed during the gunfire.
Additional responding officers shot Acree and took him into custody. Acree remains in the hospital and, when he is able, will be moved to the Jackson County Detention Center. He is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, and armed criminal action and is being held on a $2 million bond.
The shooting is under investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The Jackson County Circuit Judge stated Acree’s case would go to a judge in another county because Jackson County would rescue themselves since Mack was a Jackson County court process server.
Independence Police Chief Adam Dustman referred to the police department as a “broken family” that is mourning the loss of Allen.
In a statement on Twitter, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said he and his wife were praying for all of the officers and those “who work to protect us” who were involved in the incident.
In a statement, Independence Mayor Rory Rowland said the city grieves from the loss of Allen and Mack, “two dedicated guardians and public servants.”
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