Zachary Gifford, 27, of Platte City has been charged with murder and armed criminal action.
According to court documents, a hotel guest staying at American Inn at 1211 Armour Road in North Kansas City was grazed by a bullet that penetrated the guest room wall.
The 56-year-old guest immediately left room 235 and headed to the front desk, where he reported the incident to the front office manager, states court documents.
When police arrived at the scene, they saw blood smeared down the length of the hallway, leading a trail to room 237. Inside, police found 28-year-old Jacob Roberson lying listlessly on the floor. The victim appeared to have multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and did not have a pulse, state court documents.
When EMS arrived a short time later, they declared Roberson deceased.
Police records indicate that video surveillance captured four possible suspects enter and exit the hotel together during the time of the incident. They are seen headed down the hallway and leaving inside a maroon SUV, states court documents.
Following a police investigation conducted by the Metro Squad, Zachary Gifford was charged with murder in the second degree and armed criminal action. Gifford has been identified in court documents as the shooter and had fled to Iowa, where he was taken into custody earlier this week.
Gifford attended Platte County High School, where he was on the track and field team.
The murder charge carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.
