By Paul Thompson

Northeast News

August 11, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Missouri –A local man has been charged with 11 counts after allegedly firing a gun in the direction of Public Works employees near the intersection of 8th and Park on the morning of Wednesday, August 10.

Bertram L. Brown, 28, has been charged with four counts of Assault in the 1st Degree, four counts of Armed Criminal Action, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Stealing a Motor Vehicle, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. According to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, Brown had previously been convicted of a felony.

Police initially responded to the intersection of 8th and Park at around 7:30 a.m. on August 10. One of the victims told authorities that the Public Works crew was working on the sidewalk when they observed a black male, later identified as Brown, walking towards them while wearing no shirt. According to the Probable Cause statement, Brown was yelling something to the effect of “Get off this corner” as he pointed a chrome/black handgun at the crew and started firing bullets. The victims estimated that Brown fired roughly eight or nine shots. The crew raced for cover while Brown jumped into a dump truck parked nearby. Brown then stepped out of the dump truck, got into a city work truck, and drove away. Officers conducted an area canvass, during which they successfully tracked Brown and brought him into custody. No injuries were reported and the city truck was recovered.

A witness who resides at the nearby Olive Park Village apartments told authorities that she observed Brown outside of her residence after hearing what sounded like gunshots. When she looked outside, she saw Brown on the property without a shirt on, while wearing a black pair of shorts. She told officers that she saw Brown holding an automatic pistol and firing at least a half-dozen shots at roughly eye level.

Once identified and taken into custody, Brown refused to cooperate with officers. Due to his aggressive and belligerent behavior, he was unable to be interviewed at the time. Authorities discovered a clear plastic baggie with a green leafy substance on his person. The substance tested positive for THC – the key component of marijuana.

Prosecutors have requested a bond of $175,000 in the case.