Man charged in shooting of Independence officer, process server
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office has filed charges against an Independence man in the deadly shootings of an Independence officer and civil process server.
Larry D. Acree has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action and one count of first-degree assault.
Independence officer’s death adds to department’s tragic history
The charges come less than one day after prosecutors say Acree shot and killed Independence Officer Cody Allen and process server Drexel Mack. Two other officers were also injured.
“I want to extend my condolences to the City of Independence. They have suffered enough tragedy to last a lifetime. But here we are again because they lost another among them,” Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said.
Peters Baker said Acree is currently in the hospital but will be transferred to the jail and held on a $2 million cash-only bond.
What happened?
The deadly shooting happened around 1 p.m. outside a house in the area of N. Elsea Smith Road and E. Bundschu Road, near 40 Highway, in Independence.
Officials said it happened as process servers were trying to serve an eviction Thursday.
“There’s at least two heroes in this case who gave their lives just doing their jobs,” Peters Baker said Friday, “and I include Mr. Mack in that as well because he was simply doing his job yesterday.”
Court records say on Feb. 23, Mack had already put a “notice to vacate” at the property as the result of a writ of possession, or eviction process, completed in 2023.
Charging documents say Mack and two others arrived at the home Thursday to physically evict the property owner and used tools to remove a padlock from the gated drive.
Vigil held for Independence officer and court employee killed, two hurt in shooting
After knocking and announcing their presence, they didn’t receive a response or any indication that the home was occupied, according to court records. They drilled out the front door lock and entered the home. That’s when prosecutors say Acree started shooting from inside the home.
Mack was shot and fell to the floor immediately, court documents say.
Other process servers called for help, and Independence police responded to the call. When police arrived, three officers entered the home and attempted to rescue Mack.
Prosecutors say again Acree started shooting from inside the home. Allen was shot in the head, court records say, and a second Independence officer was hit in the torso.
“The word ambushed is fitting,” Peters Baker said Friday.
Officers returned fire and eventually took Acree into custody.
Allen and Mack were pronounced dead at the hospital, and the other injured officer had surgery but is expect to survive.
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Several agencies, as well as a tactical response team, arrived at the scene after the shooting and initiated a standoff in case there was anyone else inside.
Kansas City police Capt. Jacob Becchina said several hours later tactical response officers carefully searched the home and did not find anyone else inside.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is leading the investigation.
Because the case involves the death of a Jackson County employee, Acree’s case will not go through the Jackson County court. The judge will recuse herself, and the Missouri Supreme Court will appoint a judge from outside the county.
The victims
Independence Police Chief Adam Dustman said Allen had served with IPD for about two years. He had also worked with the Grandview Police Department for nearly six years before transferring to Independence.
The 35-year-old is survived by his wife and two young children.
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Judge Jalilah Otto said Mack, who was in his early 40s, had served the Jackson County Circuit Court for 12 years.
Mack is survived by his fiancé, who lives in the Kansas City area, and multiple children who live in Florida.
“Today we mourn their sacrifice, and we mourn their memory. May Officer Allen and Mr. Mack rest in peace. But more importantly, may their legacies continue to inspire us to serve in our communities,” Independence Mayor Rory Rowland said Friday.
FOX4 will continue to provide updates about this story as we learn more details.
