Prosecutors in Jackson County, Missouri, have filed felony charges against a man suspected of fatally shooting both an Independence police officer and a civil process officer and injuring two other law enforcement officers on Thursday.
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters’ office announced that Larry D. Ackley is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree assault, and three counts of armed criminal action.
Ackley is accused of killing Independence Police Department Officer Cody Allen and Jackson County Circuit Court Process Officer Drexel Mack.
According to court documents, Mack went to the residence on North Elsie Smith Street around 1 p.m. Thursday to follow up on an eviction notice posted on the property six days earlier.
Missouri civil process officer files eviction notice, responding officer shot and killed, two others injured
On February 29, 2024, at least three Missouri law enforcement officers were shot and killed at a home near East Bunsch Road and North Elsie Smith Road in Independence. (WDAF)
On Thursday, Mack was accompanied by two people identified as Witnesses 1 and 2, and after knocking and announcing their presence, the three didn’t answer, so they used a drill to pick the lock before entering the house. Has entered.
As Mack and “Witness 1” entered, a gunshot was fired, hitting Mack, who immediately fell to the ground inside the front door of the home, according to court documents.
Witness 1 was able to get out of the house and call for help. Three Independence police officers responded and entered the home to retrieve Mack, when more gunshots were fired from inside.
Former Missouri school principal admits to hiring hitman to kill pregnant teacher
Larry Akeley, of Independence, Missouri, allegedly shot and killed three law enforcement officers at his home near East Bunchu Road and North Elsie Smith Road on February 29, 2024. (WDAF)
Court documents say Victim 2, identified as Officer Cody Allen, was shot in the head and another officer was struck in the torso.
Officers fired shots at the suspect, later identified as Ackley, and he was in custody by 1:30 p.m.
All injured victims were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Allen and Mack were later pronounced dead, but the officer who was shot in the abdomen underwent surgery and was expected to recover from his wounds.
Missouri State Police shoot and kill suspect who stabbed two officers
Law enforcement officials in Independence, Missouri, were arrested on February 29, 2024, at East Bunshu Road and North Elsie Smith Road in Independence after a civil process worker in the county was shot while filing eviction papers. They were dispatched to a nearby residence. (WDAF)
On Thursday, Independence Police Chief Adam Dustman said Allen always had a smile on his face and called him “one of a kind” and a “man’s man.”
Allen is survived by his wife, two young children, and his parents.
Judge Jalila Otto of Missouri’s 16th Judicial Circuit said Mack has been on the court for more than 12 years.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Otto told reporters that Mack was “a true public servant who lost his life in the line of duty.”
