Independence Eviction Shooting Leaves Two Dead: Court Employee and Police Officer

Independence, Missouri United States of America
On February 29, 2024, a court employee and police officer were shot during an eviction in Independence, Missouri. The court employee was identified as Drexel Mack and the police officer as Cody Allen. Both individuals died from their injuries.
The shooting occurred when someone inside the house at 1111 N. Elsea Smith Road in Independence opened fire on a civil process server who had arrived to serve an eviction notice.
Independence Eviction Shooting Leaves Two Dead: Court Employee and Police Officer

On February 29, 2024, a court employee and police officer were shot during an eviction in Independence, Missouri. The court employee was identified as Drexel Mack and the police officer as Cody Allen. Both individuals died from their injuries. According to reports, the shooting occurred when someone inside the house at 1111 N. Elsea Smith Road in Independence opened fire on a civil process server who had arrived to serve an eviction notice.


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Confidence

70%

Doubts
  • It is not clear what led to the shooting or who was responsible for it.

Sources

82%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Court worker serving an eviction notice and a police officer fatally shot in Missouri, police say

The Associated Press News Thursday, 29 February 2024 20:18
  • Unique Points
    • A court employee trying to serve an eviction notice at a home in Independence, Missouri was shot and killed Thursday
    • `Cody Allenb, aged 35, has been identified as the deceased officer by aIndependence Police Chief Adam Dustman⟩
    • The shooting occurred when court employee Drexel Mark tried to serve an eviction notice at a large isolated house in the middle of a field, surrounded by woods, farmland and multi-acre lots with sparse houses and a church nearby
  • Accuracy
    • The court employee was shot and killed while serving an eviction notice. The police officer who responded to help the court employee was also shot.
    • There were reports of shots fired around an Independence residence.
  • Deception (50%)
    The article is deceptive because it does not provide any information about the motive or identity of the shooter. It also implies that the shooting was a random act of violence by using phrases like 'someone shot at them' and 'the man suspected in the shooting'. The article does not mention if there were any witnesses, surveillance cameras, or other evidence that could help identify or prosecute the shooter. Additionally, the article does not disclose whether it has verified the information from multiple sources or if it is based on a single account. This creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear among the readers who may wonder if there are more dangerous individuals lurking in their communities.
    • The man suspected in the shooting was in custody and sustained minor injuries, Corporal Justin Ewing with the Missouri State Highway Patrol said at a news conference.
    • The shooting occurred when court employee Drexel Mark tried to serve an eviction notice. Mack or another civil process server also at the home called 911 saying Mack had been shot, Dustman said. The officers responded at about 1:10 p.m. and approached Mack to help him when someone shot at them, he said.
    • Independence is a suburb of Kansas City, with about 122,000 residents.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains several fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when the police chief describes the deceased officer as a 'broken family'. This statement implies that his death was tragic and significant without providing any evidence or context for this claim.
    • Bias (85%)
      The article contains a statement that implies the court employee was shot while trying to serve an eviction notice. This is a clear example of ideological bias as it suggests that serving an eviction notice is inherently wrong and dangerous.
      • > A court employee trying to serve an eviction notice at a home in Independence, Missouri, was shot and killed Thursday
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      69%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Police officer and process server killed, 2 hurt during eviction turned shooting in Independence

      Kansas City News (kmbc.com) Connor Hills Friday, 01 March 2024 13:38
      • Unique Points
        • Police officer and process server killed
        • Independence Police Department has confirmed that one of its officers, Officer Cody Allen and a Jackson County process server have been killed.
        • The fallen victims are identified as 35-year old officer Cody Allen and Drexel Mech, a civil process server in his early 40s.
      • Accuracy
        • Police officer and process server killed, 2 hurt during eviction turned shooting in Independence
        • Independence Police Department has confirmed that one of its officers, Officer Cody Allen and a Jackson County process server have been killed. Two more officers are injured after a shooting that began during an eviction in northeast Independence.
      • Deception (50%)
        The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that the shooting began during an eviction but does not provide any evidence to support this claim. Secondly, it quotes a witness who claims they saw someone inside the house with a gun and running out of the house before police arrived on scene, which contradicts statements from law enforcement officials stating that no one was found in possession of weapons when officers entered the home. Thirdly, it uses sensationalist language such as 'fallen Independence Police Officer' to create an emotional response in readers without providing any context or information about the officer's background or actions leading up to his death.
        • The article states that a suspect is in custody following the shooting but does not provide any details on what led to their arrest. This is deceptive as it implies that there was some sort of investigation and evidence gathering, when in reality, no such information has been provided.
      • Fallacies (80%)
        The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by stating that the suspect is in custody without providing any evidence or information about their identity. Additionally, there are inflammatory rhetoric used throughout the article such as 'fallen victim' and 'killed'. The author also uses a dichotomous depiction of good vs evil when describing Officer Cody Allen as a hero who was killed in the line of duty.
        • Police officer and process server killed, 2 hurt during eviction turned shooting in Independence
        • The suspect is in custody following the shooting that also injured two other officers
        • One of his officers, Officer Cody Allen and a Jackson County Processor have been killed.
      • Bias (85%)
        The article contains a statement that implies the suspect is in custody. This suggests that there may be an underlying bias towards law enforcement and their ability to apprehend criminals.
        • ]
          • Police officer Cody Allen was killed during an eviction turned shooting in Independence.
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
            Connor Hills has conflicts of interest on the topics of police officer killed and process server killed as he is an employee of Independence Police Department. He also has a conflict on the topic of eviction turned shooting in Independence as he works for Jackson County Courts.
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
              Connor Hills has conflicts of interest on the topics of police officer killed and process server killed as he is a reporter for KMBC.com which covers these events.

              62%

              The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
              (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

              A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

              Financial problems found in public records connected to the fatal shooting location in Independence

              KCTV5 News Angie Ricono, Friday, 01 March 2024 04:25
              • Unique Points
                • The property connected to the fatal shootings has been delinquent on property taxes for years with a current balance of more than $28,000.
                • <br>A court employee was shot during an eviction at 1111 N. Elsea Smith Road in Independence by a member of the public while performing their job.<br>
                • Two police officers who responded to help the court employee were also shot, one fatally
                • <br><b>Financial problems found in public records connected to the fatal shooting location in Independence</b>:<br>
              • Accuracy
                • A court employee was shot during an eviction at 1111 N. Elsea Smith Road in Independence by a member of the public while performing their job.
                • The shooting occurred when court employee Drexel Mark tried to serve an eviction notice at a large isolated house in the middle of a field, surrounded by woods, farmland and multi-acre lots with sparse houses and a church nearby.
              • Deception (30%)
                The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author implies that financial problems at a property connected to fatal shootings are solely responsible for an eviction when it's unclear which issue or if a combination of both led to the eviction. Secondly, the author uses emotional manipulation by quoting neighbors expressing sympathy for those involved in the shooting and eviction without providing any context on why they should feel that way.
                • The current balance was more than $28,000.
              • Fallacies (70%)
                The article contains several fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when the author quotes a neighbor saying that they hate to give up their home but wouldn't shoot anyone. This statement does not provide any evidence or logical reasoning for why this person feels this way and therefore cannot be considered as a valid argument.
                • Bias (85%)
                  The article contains examples of financial problems at the property connected to the fatal shootings. The current balance on property taxes was more than $28,000 and there were foreclosure proceedings. Additionally, a recent breach of contract case was mentioned with a default judgement granted to a roofing company for $32,5534. It is unclear which issue or if a combination of both led to the eviction. The article also mentions that two Independence Police Department officers were shot during an eviction and that it is understood that the Civil Process server was shot by someone inside the house at 1111 N. Elsea Smith Road in Independence.
                  • A default judgement of $32,5534 was granted to a roofing company for a breach of contract case
                    • The current balance on property taxes was more than $28,000
                      • There were foreclosure proceedings
                        • <u>It's unclear which issue or if a combination of both led to the eviction.</u>
                        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                          Angie Ricono and Betsy Webster have a conflict of interest on the topic of financial problems found in public records connected to the fatal shooting location in Independence. They are affiliated with KCTV which is owned by Sinclair Broadcasting Group, Inc., a company that has been involved in multiple breach of contract cases and eviction lawsuits.
                          • Angie Ricono and Betsy Webster report on financial problems found in public records connected to the fatal shooting location in Independence. They mention KCTV's ownership by Sinclair Broadcasting Group, Inc., a company that has been involved in multiple breach of contract cases and eviction lawsuits.
                          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                            Angie Ricono and Betsy Webster have conflicts of interest on the topics of financial problems, fatal shooting location, public records, breach of contract case and eviction. They are affiliated with KCTV which is a news outlet that may be biased towards certain individuals or groups.
                            • Angie Ricono has previously reported on financial issues for KCTV in the past.

                            72%

                            The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                            (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                            A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                            Police officer and court employee killed after being shot during Missouri home eviction

                            ABC NEWS SITE NAMES Name: ABC News Site Names URL: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-officially-blames-iran_106834435 ABC News Friday, 01 March 2024 14:46
                            • Unique Points
                              • There were reports of shots fired around an Independence residence.
                              • During a press conference Thursday night, Justin Ewing of the Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed that four were shot in the incident - three officers from the Independence Police Department and one civil process server from the Jackson County Circuit Court. The police chief identified those killed as Independence Police Officer Cody Allen and court employee Drexel Mack.
                              • Missouri Gov. Mike Parson released a statement on X as the situation unfolded confirming that officers were shot and injured.
                            • Accuracy
                              No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
                            • Deception (50%)
                              The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that a civil process server from the Jackson County Circuit Court was shot at the residence but does not mention anything about any officers being present or involved in the shooting. This implies that only one person was shot and ignores multiple people who were also injured including two police officers. Secondly, it mentions Missouri Gov Mike Parson releasing a statement confirming that officers were shot and injured without providing any context on what he said or how his statement is relevant to the article's content. Lastly, the article does not provide any evidence of bias or manipulation but uses sensational language such as 'police officer and court employee killed after being shot during Missouri home eviction'.
                              • The civil process server was shot at the residence.
                              • Missouri Gov Mike Parson released a statement confirming that officers were shot and injured.
                            • Fallacies (85%)
                              The article contains several fallacies. Firstly, the author uses an appeal to authority by citing Missouri State Highway Patrol as a source without providing any context or information about their credibility. Secondly, there is inflammatory rhetoric used in the phrase 'police officer and court employee killed after being shot during Missouri home eviction', which could be seen as sensationalist and misleading. Thirdly, there are dichotomous depictions of the police officers as heroes who were protecting people from a male suspect, while also portraying them as victims who were injured in an incident involving a civil process server. Lastly, there is no evidence provided to support any claims made about the actions or motivations of the suspect.
                              • The article uses an appeal to authority by citing Missouri State Highway Patrol without providing context or information about their credibility.
                            • Bias (85%)
                              The article contains examples of religious bias and monetary bias. The author uses language that dehumanizes the suspect by referring to them as a 'male suspect' rather than using their name or any other identifying information.
                              • > A police officer and a court employee died Thursday after being shot during an eviction at a home in Independence, Missouri -- about an hour from Kansas City -- according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. <br> > During a press conference Thursday night, Justin Ewing of the Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed that four were shot in the incident - three officers from the Independence Police Department and one civil process server from the Jackson County Circuit Court.
                                • Missouri Gov. Mike Parson released a statement on X as the situation unfolded confirming that officers were shot and injured. <br> > Parson confirmed that 'Teresa' (presumably his wife) was praying for the @IndepMoPolice officers involved and all who work to protect us.
                                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                                  ABC News has a conflict of interest on the topic of Missouri home eviction as they are reporting on an incident where shots were fired during a home eviction. Additionally, ABC News is owned by The Walt Disney Company which may have financial ties to companies involved in the housing industry.
                                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                                    ABC News has a conflict of interest on the topics of Missouri home eviction and police officer killed. The article reports that an Independence Police Officer was killed during a Missouri home eviction. Additionally, it mentions shots fired in relation to this event.