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Suspect in North Kansas City hotel killing found in Iowa, charged with murder

Zachary Gifford
Posted at 11:22 AM, Nov 18, 2019
and last updated 2019-11-18 12:46:26-05

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The alleged shooter in an incident that left one person dead inside a North Kansas City hotel room last week was taken into custody in Iowa and charged with murder, according to court records.

Zachary B. Gifford, 27, was charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with the death of 28-year-old Jacob Roberson at the American Inn at 1211 Armour Road.

Police on Saturday said they were looking for several people of interest in connection with the homicide. On Monday morning, only Gifford had been charged in the shooting.

According to a statement of probable cause, video surveillance from the hotel showed a maroon SUV pull into the parking lot around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday. Four people exited the vehicle, and a woman in the group walked into the hotel and opened a secure door to allow the three men with her into the building. The group then walked toward the hotel room where Roberson was found.

A short time later, video surveillance captured several people running from the area of the room and the maroon SUV leaving the parking lot. One of the people seen getting into the vehicle was wearing clothing that did not match any of the four people seen entering the hotel room, according to records.

The Metropolitan Area Major Case Squad investigated the incident and interviewed two of Gifford’s family members. One relative told investigators that Gifford went to the American Inn “to get an understanding,” according to records.

Gifford told the relatives that he went to the hotel and got into a fight with Roberson, who pulled out a gun, according to records. Gifford allegedly said he shot the man at least twice and then fled from the hotel room. He also said he may go to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to stay with another relative.

One relative told investigators that Gifford “seemed to be treating it as if the situation was a game” and didn’t show any remorse for the shooting, according to records. The relative said that if Gifford were pressured and armed, he may try to shoot at police.

Police in Ottumwa, Iowa, found Gifford inside a home there on Saturday with another person who was armed. An officer was able to convince the other person to remove the firearm, and Gifford was taken into custody. He was booked into the Wapello County Jail in Iowa.

Bond for Gifford was set at $1 million. On Monday morning, no court date had been set, and it was not immediately clear if he had been extradited to Missouri.