A second-degree murder charge has been filed after a deadly shooting Nov. 13 at the American Inn in North Kansas City.
Clay County prosecutors also charged Zachary B. Gifford, of Platte City, with armed criminal action.
Officers were dispatched to the American Inn at about 4:44 p.m. Nov. 13 in regard to a shots fired call from Michael Rudolph who was staying in a room near the one where the victim was found. Rudolph appeared to have a graze wound from a bullet on his left arm. He reported the incident to the front desk manager who called 911.
Zachary Gifford
When detectives responded to the scene they were led to Room 237 where they observed what appeared to be smeared blood on the hallway side of the door leading into the room. They conducted a sweep of the room to check for other victims and found Jacob Roberson, 28, lying on the floor. He appeared to have sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and did not have a pulse. When North Kansas City EMS responded to the scene they confirmed that Roberson was deceased.
The death was ruled a homicide.
Video surveillance showed a maroon SUV enter the parking lot and four people exited the vehicle and headed to the east side of the American Inn. A woman in the group entered the main lobby and proceeded through the building and opened a secured door allowing the other three males to enter. The group proceeded to Roberson’s room.
After a short time several people are seen running from the area of the room into the hallway and the camera showed the SUV exiting the parking lot with two additional people entering, one wearing clothing that didn’t match the clothing of any of the people entering the room.
A Metro Squad was called to investigate the murder and interviews were conducted with the sister and father of Zachary Gifford. Gifford’s sister, Megan May, said Gifford was at the American Inn to meet with someone and the victim had pulled out a gun, according to court documents. Gifford advised that his group pulled out their guns and there was a struggle over a gun and a shot was fired. Gifford told his sister that the victim tried to get up and he “got him again.”
When the victim came at him again, Gifford said, “I hit him again.”
Gifford said the victim rolled off the bed onto the floor. The group to got their things and ran.
Gifford’s father, Clyde May, said his son’s story of the shooting seemed as if Gifford had no remorse about what had happened and that he was treating the shooting as if it was some kind of game. Gifford told his dad that he planned to go north.
On Nov. 16 the mother of one of Gifford’s friends called the Metro Squad and told them that Gifford and his friends were in Ottumwa, Iowa. Gifford was arrested when officers responded to the address given.
Gifford is in jail in Iowa. When he is returned to Clay County he will be held on $1 million bond.