A Napoleon, Mo. man has been charged with shooting two men in an unprovoked attack near Dearborn after a night of partying.
Jacob A. Westwood, 23, was charged in Platte County on Saturday, July 18 with two counts of first degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action following an incident earlier that morning. Sheriff Mark Owen said deputies were called to Oil Well Road near Dearborn in the early morning hours of July 18. Deputies located one victim who had been shot in the buttocks, apparently sustaining a broken pelvic bone. After being initially transported to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, that victim was later transferred to the University of Kansas Medical Center for emergency surgery. Police also learned that a second victim – shot in the leg – had been taken to St. Luke’s North Hospital in a private car. He was transported to St. Luke’s Plaza location, where he underwent emergency surgery for a shattered tibia.
Westwood
According to court documents, witnesses – consisting of a group of Westwood’s friends and family – reported Westwood was drinking and using marijuana late Friday, July 17. At about 2 a.m. July 18, Westwood was placed in the passenger seat of a truck to sleep it off. About 15 minutes later, witnesses heard the truck’s door open. As everyone present was still standing around the truck, one of the victims asked Westwood if he was alright when the suspect suddenly opened fire.
Witnesses scattered, with the man shot in the leg fleeing and locating another friend who drove him to St. Luke’s. The victim was unaware there had been another victim shot until later.
When he ran out of rounds, Westwood allegedly asked the man who had been sleeping in the driver’s seat of the same truck for another magazine. He told Westwood “no” and prevented Westwood from getting the additional magazine. Westwood allegedly threw the weapon into a field, then ran after it.
When police arrived, Westwood asked the deputy if he was being arrested for murder. During a later interview he asked police if the victims were alright.
Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd said his office filed charges later that day. If convicted, Westwood faces up to life in prison for each of two counts of first degree assault. Armed criminal action carries a three-year minimum prison term. Westwood is being held in lieu of a $50,000 cash bond and is scheduled back in court on Tuesday, July 28.