Man faces murder charge after shooting in Walmart parking lot near Barry Road

By NewsPress Now

A man has been charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action after a shooting in the parking lot of Walmart off of Barry Road.

Surveillance video shows Taquiza V. Johnson allegedly getting into an altercation with another man in the parking lot of the Walmart at 8551 N. Boardwalk Ave. around 4:15 p.m. on Aug. 21, and soon after, shooting him.

“We allege this defendant shot someone in broad daylight in the parking lot of a major retailer. That is equally tragic and disturbing,” said Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd in a release.

According to court documents, Johnson reached his arm out toward the victim’s vehicle as it drove past the crosswalk, leading the victim to reverse and get out. Johnson then approached the vehicle but turned around, and the victim got back into his vehicle and parked.

Johnson got back into his vehicle and drove over to where the victim parked and got out, court documents say. The victim was walking toward the entrance and then saw Johnson and walked toward him. Johnson had his hands behind his back before shooting the victim and getting back into his vehicle and leaving the scene.

The victim died shortly after at a nearby hospital. 

Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers found Johnson’s vehicle within eight minutes, and he was taken into custody. He is being held without bond.