Independence, Mo. —The Jackson County Prosecutor has charged Larry Acree with two counts of first-degree murder, first-degree assault and several counts of armed criminal action after Thursday's deadly shooting in Independence.  

What You Need To Know

  • The Jackson County Prosecutor has charged Larry Acree with two counts of first-degree murder, first-degree assault and several counts of armed criminal action after Thursday's deadly shooting in Independence

  • The murder charges are for the deaths of a police officer and court employee
  • Authorities say the men were there as part of a yearlong eviction process
  • Authorities expect to press more charges 

The murder charges are for the deaths of a police officer and court employee who died in the shooting at an Independence home near Elsea Smith and Bundschu Road.

Two other police officers were wounded but expected to survive. Acree faces an assault charge for shooting one officer. Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker says there will be other charges in this case, but her office is still processing the evidence. 

Drexel Mack was the court employee killed. He was a civil process server who was shot trying to serve an eviction notice. Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker explained Mack and another civil process server had been to Acree's property before as part of a yearlong eviction process. 

Authorities explained Mack and his colleague had to remove a lock from a gate to enter the property. Then, they explained the men took steps to make sure the property was safe and secure, knocking on the door and announcing their presence before proceeding to remove the lock on the front door. 

Baker said as they entered the home, the men were met with gunfire and Mack fell after being hit.

Officers responded to the scene to attempt to save Mack's life when they were met with gunfire as well. 

The Independence officer who died is 35-year-old Cody Allen. 

"This is really a hard day, charges are great to be able to give you and it is also an important way to show you the criminal justice system works even on the hardest days, but I think all of us would like to roll back the clock a few hours to see if any other fate could have been met," said Baker Friday morning.

Authorities say the other two officers are expected to make a full recovery. 

Acree has been in custody from almost the start of the incident, said Baker. She explained he is in the hospital but will be taken to the Jackson County Detention Center when he recovers.