ATV Incident in Kansas City

Recently, most of the ATV-related stories I cover involve dangerous situations, such as individuals fleeing from the police or even running over law enforcement officers. However, this particular incident is even more disturbing.

A man riding an ATV, part of a group of ATV and dirt bike riders in Kansas City, followed a delivery vehicle for several blocks before opening fire on the car. The vehicle was occupied by two adults who had just completed a food delivery, a 14-year-old, and a 2-year-old. Prior to shooting at the car, the group of riders surrounded the vehicle, kicking it and demanding entry.

The driver of the vehicle managed to escape briefly, but the riders pursued from East 18th Street and Grand Boulevard to East 27th Street and Indiana Avenue. Shortly after, gunshots were heard, prompting one of the victims to shield his 2-year-old nephew before being shot in the lower back. The other adult in the car was also shot in the lower back.

One of the bullets came within a foot of the 2-year-old's car seat, as indicated in court documents. The shooter, Lonny Waits, was identified, but the female adult in the car was unsure of the motive behind the attack.

Fortunately, two anonymous tips led to Waits' arrest. One tip directed police to a Facebook user with a photo of Waits, while another tip revealed that Waits and the group of riders visited a gas station on the night of the incident, allowing authorities to obtain clear footage of Waits' face. Waits was apprehended on the same night of the crime following a traffic stop.

Thankfully, no fatalities occurred, and Waits is currently in custody facing charges of two counts of first-degree assault, three counts of armed criminal action, and one count of unlawful use of a weapon.