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KCMO man charged with second-degree murder in January homicide

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Posted at 4:18 PM, Feb 10, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-10 17:18:35-05

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Kansas City, Missouri, man was charged Wednesday in a Jan. 26 shooting that killed 38-year-old Charles Blakey.

Curtis Harris, 53, was charged with one count of second-degree murder and one count of armed criminal action, the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office said.

According to court documents, officers from the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department responded on Jan. 26 to the 2800 block of Indiana Avenue after a receiving a call that a vehicle had struck a residence.

Upon arriving, officers found Blakey dead inside the vehicle with a gunshot wound to the face.

The day after the shooting, Harris contacted KCPD, wanting to speak with detectives about the case involving Blakey.

During an interview with detectives, Harris revealed he was in a rented 2020 Dodge Journey from Enterprise Rental with Blakey, documents said.

Harris and Blakey drove to an unknown location to purchase marijuana.

Harris gave Blakey $300 to purchase 28 ounces of marijuana, which cost $250. When Blakey returned to the vehicle, he began to smoke the purchased marijuana with Harris while driving around, the documents said.

Shortly after, Harris weighed the marijuana on a scale and realized there were seven ounces missing. Harris confronted Blakey, asking for the remaining $50. Blakey became agitated and refused.

As the two drove around, Blakey offered to sale Harris a .380-caliber handgun. Harris refused the offer and told detectives he began unloading the gun.

Blakey then took the gun away from Harris and threatened to kill him, according to documents. Shortly after, Blakey pointed the gun at Harris and the two began to struggle over the gun.

Harris gained control of the gun but Blakey began to reach for a rifle. Harris told detectives he feared for his life and fired six shots at Blakey, causing the vehicle to crash into the residence.

Prosecutors requested a $150,000 cash bond for Harris.

For jurisdictions that utilize the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline, anonymous tips can be made by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477), submitting the tip online or through the free mobile app at P3Tips.com.

Annual homicide details and data for the Kansas City area are available through the 41 Action News Homicide Tracker, which was launched in 2015. Read the 41 Action News Mug Shot Policy.