Joe Jarosz
Northeast News
Feb. 24, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — An Independence man has been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of Samuel Hewitt in October 2014.

According to a press release from Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, Melvin M. McCaslin, 42, has been charged with second-degree murder, a class A felony; armed criminal action, a felony; and unlawful possession of a firearm, a class C felony.

According to court records, Hewitt and McCaslin got into a fight outside of a residence located at 8609 Thompson Ave. KCPD were then called to the area on reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found the victim inside a vehicle that was being driven by a witness. The victim was suffering from a gunshot wound. Hewitt was being transported to an area hospital, where he later died. On Oct. 25, 2014, the Jackson County Medical Examiner ruled the victim’s death a murder.

Witnesses told police that the victim was lying on the ground when the suspect walked up to him and fired a single gunshot. Prosecutors requested a cash bond of $250,000.