Joe Jarosz
Northeast News
Dec. 8, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Two area teenagers have been charged in connection with the Oct. 10, 2015, fatal shootings of Pablo Lopez and Jorge Calderon-Ruiz, outside a Northeast convenience store.

According to a press release from Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker’s office, Louie S. Guana, 18, of Kansas City, Mo., faces two counts of first-degree murder, each a class A felony; three counts of armed criminal action, each a felony; and first-degree assault, a class B felony. The prosecutor’s office also plans to charge Christopher Hamm Jr., 17, of Kansas City, Kan., with hindering prosecution of a felony, and tampering with physical evidence, both a class D felony.

According to court records, just after midnight on Oct. 10, 2015, police were in the area of the BP gas station along the 4800 block of Independence Avenue when they heard gunshots. Soon later, they found the victims on the sidewalk in front of the store entrance dead. Surveillance video showed the murders, including Guana firing multiple times at both victims after they were incapacitated and on the ground. Hamm drove the shooter away from the scene in a vehicle that he was known to drive, a witness told police. The same type of vehicle was later found in Kansas City, Kan., after being set on fire.

Guana and Hamm remain at large. Police earlier released surveillance video from the crime. Police are asking for help locating the suspects. Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers Greater Kansas City TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477), TIPS may also be submitted electronically at www.KCcrimestoppers.com or by texting TIP452 and your information to 274637 (CRIMES). All information is anonymous.

Prosecutors have requested a bond of $500,000 for Guana and $100,000 for Hamm.