2 injured in shooting near 31st and Monroe in KCMO

From Kate Cerve:

Two young men suffered life-threatening injuries when they were shot near E. 31st Street and Monroe Avenue about 8:45 p.m. Monday.

One man remained in critical condition at 11 p.m.; the other was stable.

The victims, thought to be in their early to mid 20s, were found near a dark-green Ford Explorer. Kansas City police Sgt. Roy Murry said officers did not know if the men were inside the vehicle when they were shot.

Police had no suspects Monday evening, but witnesses reported seeing a gold-colored car leaving the scene. Other details were not immediately available.

Topeka man convicted of shooting, killing hunter

Story is from Emporia and involves the death of Beau Arndt, 18, a hunter who was shot and killed near Americus last year. From The AP:

The jury took about three hours Monday to find 57-year-old Theron Thomas Kent guilty of involuntary manslaughter, hunting without permission and criminal discharge of a firearm ...

Talk about your mean-spirited little jerks

On Cape Cod, a 14-year-old "thought it would be funny" if he pushed an elderly person off a dock, the local paper reports. After he got arrested, guess what he did with his one phone call? He called a friend to brag about it, police say.

Hat Tip: Saw this via Fark!

Olathe man accused of counterfeiting money

From U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren's office: Vincent M. Cunningham, 50, Olathe, Kan., was charged Thursday with counterfeiting.

A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Topeka alleged that Cunningham sold $1,150 in counterfeit bills to an informant for $250. Cunningham was arrested June 25, 2008, at 515 Clairborn in Olathe. Investigators served a search warrant at his residence, where they found un-cut sheets of counterfeit U.S. currency.
   
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000. The Topeka Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Mattivi is prosecuting.

Shenanigans

My colleague suggests that we need MORE bans on fireworks, not fewer. James at the Kansas Citian issues a fullthroated cry of "shenanigans" in response.

FL man accused of assaulting mom with 3 lbs. of frozen Polish sausage

First the frozen chicken, now this. Snip:

Praeger's mother told police that her son was drinking and they got into an argument. She said Praeger picked up the pack of sausage and threw it at her, grazing the back of her head, the police report said.

When police asked Praeger what happened, he asked officers if they wanted him to lie, the report said. He then admitted that he threw the sausage at his mother, the report said.

Hat Tip: Many thanks, You're A Mean Drunk R2D2!

File Photo: Sausages in their natural habitat.

Paraplegic accused of leading Calif. police on a high-speed chase

Which goes to show that people with disabilities really can do anything. This gentleman became paralyzed when police shot him several years ago and lied about him assaulting officers. He went to prison, but had most of his sentence kicked because of the scandal in L.A.'s Rampart division.

Leawood thieves steal thousands in electronics, sports memorabilia

From Crime Stoppers: On early Sunday morning, June 29, 2008, a commercial office building near West 115th Street and Tomahawk Creek Parkway in Leawood was burglarized. The building was still under construction and only one suite was occupied.

Several high-end flat panel TV's were stolen, along with computer equipment and autographed sports memorabilia. The value of the stolen items and damage to the property will reach several thousands of dollars. Two white males who appear to be in their 20's were captured on security cameras.

Anyone with information on the identity of either of these suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 816-474-TIPS. A cash reward is available for information leading to an arrest. The case is being investigated by Det. Jason Ahring, Leawood P.D. who can be reached at 913-642-5555, ext. 209.

A reasonable explanation

Well, sure, his car was weaving around the road, but he only had three tires. OK, and yeah, he was allegedly drunk ...

There is a God

"Verne Troyer sues to stop distribution of sex tape." I hope they bury all the copies in a giant hole in the desert, like they did with the "E.T." video game.

File photo via The AP.

Open Thread ... Monday

Thanks again for spending part of your day on the Open Thread, our blog's space for off-topic comments and chatting. Of course, you're also welcome to post links if you've seen something cool elsewhere.

Please sign your comments, and please avoid profanity, as well as racially and sexually abusive language. And when you sign your comments, please use only one nickname. I read the OT, but if you need to contact me directly, my email is jhart@kcstar.com.

Thanks again, and have a great Monday!

You don't need me to tell you this, but ...

"Immigration raids often spare employers" -- headline from the Houston Chronicle

KCPD names victim in south KC shooting -- charges filed

Dion Wiley, 20, of Kansas City died after he was shot in the head early Sunday after a party in the 5600 block of East 87th. Five other people were injured, too. Jackson County prosecutors have filed charges against Kevin D. Roberts, 17, accusing him of unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action. Here's the probable cause statement.

Photo of Kevin D. Roberts

Arrest warrant issued for AR mayor who turned dogs loose in national forest

The mayor of Helena-West Helena reportedly turned 10 dogs loose in a nearby national forest because the town couldn't afford to keep the strays any longer. The mayor is now being accused of animal cruelty.

Hat Tip: Many thanks, JUNGLE JIM

Somewhere, Dirty Harry is weeping bitterly

San Francisco -- home of fictional violence-purveyor Harry Callahan -- has a novel way of dealing with underage illegal immigrants caught dealing crack: The city gives them a free plane ride home. That way, they won't get deported and could theoretically return in the future. More from the Chronicle:

City officials say they are trying to balance their obligations under federal and state law with local court orders and San Francisco's policies aimed at protecting the rights of the young immigrants, who they say are often victims of exploitation.

Federal authorities counter that drug kingpins are indeed exploiting the immigrants, but that the city's stance allows them to get away with "gaming the system."

Hat Tip: Many thanks, You're A Mean Drunk R2D2!

KCPD identifies West Bottoms homicide victim

From KCPD: The homicide victim has been identified as Jeremiah Morrison, white male 05/18/1981 of KCMO. Detectives are still requesting that anyone who knows the identification of the suspects to contact the TIPS Hotline at 474-TIPS (8477).

Milwaukee golfers robbed at gunpoint on golf course

And no, it did NOT stop them from finishing their game.

Fact: "Drug addicts don't make very good friends"

Midtown Miscreant finishes the story of an old buddy, Charlie, here. Snip:

I can't say I miss the Charlie that he had become, drug addicts don't make very good friends. I have often asked myself why I ever got involved in that mess. The best I can answer is to say this. I did it for the old Charlie. The Charlie I remembered from my childhood. The one that got picked on and smelled like pee. But that Charlie was long gone, in his place was just another wigged-out dope fiend. I never looked back.

Man accused of wearing wig, thong, fake breasts while walking along road

Story is from Connecticut, where authorities got several complaints about the gentleman. Police later arrested a suspect who was picking up cans behind a store when they found him. Charges here are simple trespass and disorderly conduct -- which seems like a stretch to me.  Is it a crime now for men to parade around in thongs and fake breasts?

Trouble at the Gateway Arch

A park ranger was hit by a car after he tried to stop some men from throwing traffic barriers into the Mississippi early on Sunday. The ranger was able to return fire, though, and his shots ended up killing the getaway car's driver. The ranger is expected to live.

MO governor to sign bill against online harassment

In St. Charles County, where Megan Meier committed suicide. What precisely will the legislation do? I'm glad you asked.

"Convicted of causing a catastrophe"

The Hannibal Courier-Post has a story about James Scott, who was convicted of breaking a West Quincy, Ill., levee during the flood of 1993. ABC's Primetime Live is taking another look at the case during its broadcast on Tuesday night. Scott is trying to convince people that he was innocent, but the prosecutor says the evidence against him was overwhelming.

2 men injured in weekend KCK shooting

It's been a while since we've had a weekend as bloody as this past one. Part of it's the time of year -- assaults and homicides tend to tick upward during the warmer months.

From KCK PD:

Police found two injured men after a shooting Sunday night at 842 Ray Ave. in Kansas City, Kan.

One of the men suffered life-threatening injuries, police said. Both were taken to a hospital. Police were called to the address at 9:52 p.m.

KCPD investigates West Bottoms homicide

This is the case of a 27-year-old man who was shot and killed early Sunday outside the Millennium Super Stop in the West Bottoms. Police have surveillance footage of two guys who were in the store before the shooting, and they're trying to locate those two for questioning, KMBC reports.

Convicted child molester tried to gather urine from men's bathroom, police say

Uh, so he could drink it. It's sort of interesting -- in a horrible way -- the level of planning he allegedly put into his urine-collection scheme ...

Hat Tip: Many thanks, JUNGLE JIM!