20-year-old convicted of murder after 2023 road rage shooting near Oak Grove
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - It has been recommended that a 20-year-old from Cape Girardeau spend the next 47 years of his life behind bars after he was found guilty of a fatal road rage shooting in Oak Grove.
Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced on Friday, Feb. 7, that Charles J. Smith Jr., 20, of Cape Girardeau, has been convicted of murder in connection to the road rage shooting that took the life of a man on I-70 in Oak Grove.
Court documents noted that Smith was found guilty of murder in the second degree, unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action. A jury recommended he spend 22 years in prison for the murder, 15 years for the illegal use of a weapon and 5 years for each count of armed criminal action.
“This conviction sends a powerful message that violence has no place on our roadways,” said Prosecutor Johnson. “The defendant in this case chose to escalate a temporary traffic dispute into a fatal shooting, which has altered countless lives in a matter of seconds. Jackson County deserves to travel without fear of deadly force. We will continue to prosecute those who choose to resort to violence.”
Court records indicated that on April 19, 2023, Missouri State Highway Patrol Troopers were called to the area of eastbound I-70 near Oak Grove with reports of a road rage incident.
Investigators noted that a witness called 911 when they saw a green Ford pickup truck veer off the interstate and hit a parked car on the outer road. The driver was found to have suffered a single gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Witnesses told law enforcement officials that the driver of a white Hyundai had been involved in an incident with the truck moments earlier. That vehicle was spotted by State Troopers later that night as it was driven by Smith.
When first responders attempted to stop Smith, they said he attempted to speed off, but not before he hit stop sticks placed by other law enforcement officials. Once the car finally stopped, Smith ran from the vehicle. He was found and apprehended the next day.
A sentencing hearing is expected to be held on May 1. As of Friday, he remains behind bars in Jackson County. No further information has been released.
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