Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Mayor Orders Review After Northland Killing as Suspect Appears in Court

Prosecutors cite video plus juvenile witnesses alleging Chris Wells was shot 13 times following a long pattern of harassment.

Overview

  • Mayor Quinton Lucas asked the city manager and police chief to examine how prior complaints and concerns were routed and left unresolved before the shooting.
  • Jeffrey King made his first court appearance Wednesday, has not retained an attorney, and a not guilty plea was entered.
  • King remains jailed on a $5,000,000 bond on counts of first-degree murder and armed criminal action, with prosecutors reviewing whether to seek the death penalty.
  • Court documents say video shows Wells strike King, then back away with his hands up before shots were fired, and two juveniles reported King stood over Wells and fired as he lay face down.
  • Detectives recovered a handwritten note referencing the victim and flagged King as a flight risk; neighbors point to a November no-contact order and more than 50 311 complaints, and over 100 people attended a candlelight vigil.