Gunfire Erupts When Marijuana Sale Goes Bad

On Thursday, March 27, Sedalia Police responded to a report of gunfire near Housel Park, Howard and Hurley.

Officers arrived at 1:23 p.m., and interviewed witnesses. They reported seeing 60-year-old Kenneth L Grant of Sedalia firing multiple shots at an individual identified as Juvenile Victim 1 (JV1), also referred to by witnesses as "Leaf."

Investigators determined that the conflict began when Grant parked his vehicle near the park to sell marijuana to the juvenile. The juvenile, who was wearing a mask, approached Grant’s vehicle and stole the marijuana intended for sale. In retaliation, Grant began firing multiple shots in the direction of the juvenile before pursuing him.

During the chase, Grant discharged his firearm from a moving vehicle, striking and damaging a nearby residential structure.

The juvenile narrowly escaped unharmed, discarding the stolen marijuana during his escape.

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The juvenile later admitted to police he was the masked individual who had taken the marijuana and that the gunfire from Grant nearly struck him, breaking a window of an occupied residence in the process.

Grant was subsequently arrested and placed on a 24-hour investigative hold at the Pettis County Jail.

Authorities recovered the firearm involved and secured it as evidence.

Grant now faces charges of First Degree Assault, Armed Criminal Action, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Second Degree Property Damage and delivery of 35 grams or less of marijuana to a person less than 17.

No bond was issued for the unlawful use of a weapon charge.

Bond on the other charges was set at $150,000 cash or surety.