Independence police have arrested a suspect in connection to the road rage shooting death of 22-year-old Whitney Gray.
Christopher P. Taylor, 39, was arrested in South Dakota on Tuesday and faces murder in the second-degree and armed criminal action charges.
Police said Gray suffered a gunshot to the chest while driving her minivan north on Sterling, near Winner Road Sunday shortly after 7:30 p.m. She was driving with an 8-month-old baby, a 3-year-old and a 16-year-old.
According to witnesses, Taylor was following Gray closely in his SUV. He tried to pass her and nearly caused an accident. At Winner Road people reported seeing a drink or liquid thrown onto Taylor’s SUV and then a loud pop was heard. Taylor continued driving north.
When Independence fire crews and paramedics arrived they said Gray had no pulse.
Samuel Taylor walked outside his home Sunday evening to find out what was going on.
“I saw them doing CPR on her,” he said.
Samuel's having trouble shaking what he saw.
“Who could do that? Who would actually shoot a woman with her kids in the car? And if you saw their faces, it’s just something that gets to you,” he said.
Taylor did not show up to work on Monday and family members said they became more suspicious that he was involved after he packed up his belongings and left home.
Police said a car dealer helped police track the white Toyota Sequoia that Taylor was driving to a hotel in Box Elder, South Dakota.
Prosecutors have requested a bond of $100,000 cash.
The U.S. Marshall’s Office will transport Taylor back to Missouri.
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