A former Kansas City police officer is facing the possibility of life behind bars after a jury found him guilty of shooting and killing a 71-year-old man outside a Walmart.
Taquiza Johnson, 49, was convicted last week in Platte County, Missouri, of second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the August 2024 death of Ronald Barnett.
The jury also recommended that Johnson receive a life sentence. While the judge does not have to follow that recommendation, it could carry major weight when Johnson is formally sentenced.
Barnett’s family said they were “pleased” that jurors pushed for the toughest punishment available under Missouri law for the charge.
But the verdict was still bittersweet. According to the Kansas City Star, Barnett’s daughter said the family had expected Johnson to be convicted of first-degree murder, the more serious charge he originally faced.
The deadly encounter unfolded on Aug. 21, 2024, in the parking lot of a Walmart near the Shops at Boardwalk shopping mall in Kansas City.
According to court documents cited by local reports, surveillance video showed Johnson leaving the store and walking through a crosswalk as Barnett drove nearby. Johnson allegedly extended his arm toward Barnett’s vehicle.
Barnett then reversed, stopped and got out of his vehicle. Johnson walked over to him, and the two men appeared to interact for about 20 seconds before they both went back to their vehicles.
Moments later, Barnett parked and began walking toward the Walmart entrance.
That is when prosecutors said Johnson drove toward him, got out of his vehicle, walked up to Barnett and shot him once before fleeing the scene.
The entire confrontation lasted less than two minutes.
Barnett was rushed to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Authorities said Missouri Highway Patrol troopers found Johnson’s vehicle at a nearby apartment complex within 10 minutes of the shooting. He was arrested after allegedly changing his clothes.
Johnson was not working in law enforcement at the time of the shooting. He had previously served with the Kansas City Police Department from 2004 to 2014.
Barnett left behind a large grieving family, including four children, 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and five siblings, according to his obituary.
During the case, Barnett’s loved ones also learned that he allegedly faced delays after the first 911 call, with the emergency response being transferred between teams.
“That’s just crazy to me and our family,” Barnett’s daughter told the Kansas City Star. “But outside of that, I think we’re pleased with what the jury did eventually come back with, with life in prison.”
At trial, Johnson’s defense argued he acted in self-defense, claiming Barnett had threatened him during their brief parking lot confrontation.
But Johnson admitted on the witness stand that Barnett was not armed and that he did not see any weapon.
Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd said Missouri law is clear when it comes to deadly force.
“Verbal threats are not enough. Name-calling is not enough,” Zahnd said. “Deadly force is not justified in response to fear of being grabbed or even punched.”
He added: “The old axiom is true — you cannot bring a gun to a fist-fight.”
Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 14.
It’s all Barnett’s fault. He should have known better than to speak in negative terms to a black man. It can only result in death from gunfire. I realize my statement sounds cruel, but there is some truth in what I say. I have read many, many articles about whitey getting shot over some trivial ‘diss’ of a black, man or woman. The fact is, that if a confrontation is likely, just walk away if you can. Don’t speak, don’t stare, don’t do anything that might set them off.
That skank was a cop? I can’t believe that. How in the hell this moron claims self defense when he parks his car and goe up to the other guy. Not only are blacks violent but they are also extremely stupid.
This is a racial, motivated, hate crime, pure and simple.
Had Barnett been black, and Johnson been white, we would still have rioting and looting going on.
I can see the headlines now, “white cop, shoes, defenseless, black man.”