April 18, 2020

A Kansas City tow truck driver who fired several shots at a fleeing driver has been charged with multiple felony counts, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced recently.

Prentiss D. Burks, dob: 7/7/1977, faces Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Assault 2nd Degree and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.*

According to court records, Kansas City police officers on April 14, 2020, in the evening responded to hearing shots. In the area of 127th and 59th Terrace, officers found a gunshot victim with wounds to his legs. A witness told police that the incident began when the tow truck driver, the defendant, was attempting to tow a vehicle in Raytown. But the victim jumped into that vehicle and fled, causing the tow truck driver to pursue. As the defendant pursued the man fleeing, he fired several shots, hitting the victim. The victim told police he saw two tow trucks preparing to haul away his vehicle when he fled and shots were fired, hitting him in the leg. Police found that the defendant had a handgun that matched the caliber of shell casings found along the route that shots were fired.

Prosecutors requested a $100,000 bond.

*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded.