Inset: Jeffrey King (Clay County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The Missouri neighborhood where Jeffrey King allegedly shot and killed his neighbor Chris Wells (WDAF/YouTube).
In Missouri, a man embroiled in ongoing conflicts with his neighbors has fatally shot one, reportedly standing over the victim and firing as he lay face down, according to police reports.
Jeffrey King, 42, from Kansas City, faces a first-degree murder charge for the death of 41-year-old Chris Wells. King claims self-defense, alleging, “He attacked me,” as documented in a probable cause affidavit.
King reportedly told an acquaintance, who was also a friend of the deceased, “He punched me in the face and I shot him dead.”
Authorities reveal that King and Wells had a protracted and intensifying dispute as neighbors. During a search of King’s home, a note was discovered with Wells’ name, referencing property damage and mentioning a potential altercation involving a BB gun, as detailed in the affidavit.
The situation reached a tragic climax on Monday following a quarrel sparked by King allegedly tossing a blanket onto Wells’ property. This altercation ended with King shooting Wells, who was discovered by his wife, who then alerted law enforcement.
The affidavit notes that Wells’ wife, while walking her dog, saw a vehicle idling on King’s property. A no-contact order was in effect, legally barring any interaction between the neighbors, as confirmed by police.
“[Wells’ wife] was attempting to return to her residence before contacting King but she quickly noticed King approaching her property with a blanket in his possession,” the affidavit says. “As King walked closer towards [Wells’] property, he tossed the blanket into the grass area in the front yard. Due to the long history of King harassing [the wife] and other neighbors in the area, [Wells’ wife] called the victim to notify him while he was at work.”
Wells came home and went to King’s home across the street to confront him, according to police. King allegedly met him in the street and a “physical altercation” ensued.
“Shortly after … [Wells’ wife] heard what sounded like multiple gunshots,” the affidavit says, noting that surveillance video from a neighboring residence features audio of at least eight gunshots being heard while the view of them is “blocked by the rear” of a vehicle.
The video also allegedly shows Wells walking toward King and throwing “a punch” that appears to strike King on the head, per the affidavit.
“Detectives contacted two juvenile witnesses … who stated they watched from a car as King stood over the victim and the victim was lying face down in the street,” the affidavit explains. “The juvenile witnesses each stated they observed King shoot the victim in the back as the victim was lying face down on the ground.”
Detectives searched King’s residence and located 9 mm ammunition and multiple 9 mm firearms matching the caliber of the 9 mm casings located at the crime scene. Wells’ wife told investigators that King had a history of “harassing” neighbors since before they moved into their home in 2023.
“They have had multiple incidents involving King,” the affidavit says, citing interviews with Wells’ wife. The incidents have allegedly been documented with the homeowners association, as well as law enforcement.
“King has harassed her, and on another occasion, assaulted [Wells],” the affidavit says. “[Wells’ wife] stated King has parked cars in front of her property, which blocked the United States Postal Services access to the mailbox on her property.”
King was arrested Monday on charges of murder and armed criminal action. He was booked in the Clay County Detention Center on a $5 million bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 20 for a bond reduction hearing and on Feb. 27 for a preliminary hearing.
