A suspect on bond for a 2017 Independence, MO., murder has been charged in a murder, assault today in Independence, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced this evening.
Michael T. Dumas, 2/21/1991, faces Murder 1st Degree, Assault 1st Degree and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.*
According to court records, Independence police responded to a residence in the 3800 block of S. Sterling Avenue on a reported double shooting. They found both victims in the residence.
Witnesses told police that the suspect, later identified as Michael T. Dumas, had recently been with the homicide victim, Sarah Simms. The witness told police the suspect was a suspect in a 2017 murder and was on bond. Simms, the victim in the shooting today, the witness told police was a cooperative witness in the 2017 crime.
A witness described how the suspect shot the victim with a shotgun and wounded a second victim. Police found shotgun shells at the scene. The suspect’s vehicle was parked outside and shells similar to the one found at the homicide scene were found near the vehicle.
The suspect was recently taken into custody.
Prosecutors requested a bond of $750,000 cash.
*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded.
