KANSAS CITY — A gunman fatally shot Ian E. Jones on Saturday night in Kansas City because of a traffic error, police said Wednesday.
When Jones pulled out from 19th Street onto the Paseo in Kansas City, he inadvertently pulled in front of a dark-colored car, nearly hitting it, witnesses told police.
The angry driver aimed a gun at Jones’ car and fired once. The bullet crashed through Jones' window and struck him. He drove a few blocks before crashing on the wrong side of the road near 23rd Street and the Paseo.
Officers found Jones, 22, conscious and leaning out of his car with blood on his shirt. His eyes were swollen shut.
He told police he was leaving the area of 18th and Vine streets when he suddenly lost the ability to see. Police described him as calm and alert, but seriously wounded. He died days later.
Police said Wednesday that they needed help to find the gunman, who was driving a black or dark blue car, possibly a Pontiac Grand Am, that fled south after the 11:10 p.m. shooting.
“It’s unfortunate that nowadays people get shot at instead of honked at,” said homicide Detective Janice Heins.
Jones was active in his church and mentored children at a summer camp, Heins said. He had no criminal record, she said.
Jones had just left a nightclub in the 18th and Vine District, Heins said. He and his girlfriend met there but couldn’t get inside because the club had a minimum age requirement of 25. He was following his girlfriend, who had driven away in her car, when he was shot.