Man charged in shooting of Independence officer, process server

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (WDAF) — The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office has filed charges against an Independence man in the deadly shootings of an Independence officer and civil process server.

Larry D. Acree has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action and one count of first-degree assault.

The charges come less than one day after prosecutors say Acree shot and killed Independence Officer Cody Allen and process server Drexel Mack. Two other officers were also injured.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said Acree is currently in the hospital but will be transferred to the jail and held on a $2 million cash-only bond.

What happened?

The deadly shooting happened around 1 p.m. outside a house in the area of N. Elsea Smith Road and E. Bundschu Road, near 40 Highway, in Independence.

Officials said it happened as process servers were trying to serve an eviction Thursday.

Court records say on Feb. 23, Mack had already put a “notice to vacate” at the property as the result of a writ of possession, or eviction process, completed in 2023.

Charging documents say Mack and two others arrived at the home Thursday to physically evict the property owner and used tools to remove a padlock from the gated drive.

After knocking and announcing their presence, they didn’t receive a response or any indication that the home was occupied, according to court records. They drilled out the front door lock and entered the home. That’s when prosecutors say Acree started shooting from inside the home.

Mack was shot and fell to the floor immediately, court documents say.

Other process servers called for help, and Independence police responded to the call. When police arrived, three officers entered the home and attempted to rescue Mack.

Prosecutors say again Acree started shooting from inside the home. Allen was shot in the head, court records say, and a second Independence officer was hit in the torso.

Officers returned fire and eventually took Acree into custody. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Acree suffered minor injuries.

Allen and Mack were pronounced dead at the hospital, and the other injured officer had surgery but is expect to survive.

Several agencies, as well as a tactical response team, arrived at the scene after the shooting and initiated a standoff in case there was anyone else inside.

Kansas City police Capt. Jacob Becchina said several hours later tactical response officers carefully searched the home and did not find anyone else inside.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is leading the investigation.

The victims

Independence Police Chief Adam Dustman said Allen had served with IPD for about two years. He had also worked with the Grandview Police Department for nearly six years before transferring to Independence.

The 35-year-old is survived by his wife and two young children.

Judge Jalilah Otto said Mack, who was in his early 40s, had served the Jackson County Circuit Court for 12 years.

Mack is survived by his fiancé, who lives in the Kansas City area, and multiple children who live in Florida.

FOX4 will continue to provide updates about this story as we learn more details.