Prosecutors charge Joseph L. Nelson with murder, believe he’s the perpetrator of last week’s triple homicide

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters-Baker announced that Joseph L. Nelson would face first-degree murder charges in connection to the recent shooting deaths of three people in southeast Kansas City.

Kansas City Police Department officers on September 8 were called to a residence on the 5900 block of East 84th Street, where they found three people inside, dead from multiple gunshot wounds. One of the victims was an infant. One of the victims is believed to be Nelson’s ex-girlfriend, according to a police report.

An unnamed witness told police that Nelson had arrived at his residence the evening of the triple homicide and was burning his clothing in an outside grill. The witness reported hearing Nelson say that he had robbed a nearby store.

Other witnesses tell police that Nelson had admitted to committing the murders after an argument with his ex-girlfriend. One witness says Nelson removed shell casings from the scene and later took several showers, cleaning himself off with bleach.

Nelson reported to police the night after the killings that a gun had been stolen from his residence. 

Police interviewed Nelson on Wednesday. He denied any involvement in the killings. Nevertheless, he was arrested, and prosecutors are asking for a $1 million bond. It’s not yet clear if Nelson has retained an attorney or had one appointed to him.

There have been 69 homicides in Kansas City to date this year, compared with 54 at this time last year.