Attempt to recover stolen items results in fatal stabbing
By TONY RIZZOThe Kansas City Star
Jon C. Welch had a pretty good idea who stole two laptop computers, an iPod and a checkbook from him in a burglary last week.
He found the men early Saturday in Independence, but during an ensuing struggle, the 48-year-old Kansas City man was fatally stabbed in the back.
Jackson County prosecutors charged an Independence teenager on Monday with killing Welch and another teen with the stealing that led to Saturday’s fatal confrontation.
According to court documents, Welch went to a residence in the 300 block of East Elm Street about 1:45 a.m. Saturday and got into a fight with 19-year-old Anthony Gillen of Kansas City.
While they were struggling, 18-year-old Christopher Vasquez allegedly stabbed Welch. Welch and Gillen’s mother, who had accompanied him to the residence, then left in a pickup truck but pulled over near Interstate 435 and 23rd Street and called 911.
Welch died later at a hospital.
Gillen and Vasquez were picked up for questioning on Saturday afternoon. Vasquez admitted to police that he and Gillen had stolen property from Welch and that he had stabbed Welch, according to court documents.
Gillen told detectives that he was on the ground struggling with Welch when he saw Vasquez approach. Welch then “seemed to lose power and stop fighting.” After Welch and his mother left, Gillen said Vasquez told him that he had stabbed Welch and needed to get rid of the knife.
Vasquez later led detectives to where he had hidden the knife and it was recovered, according to the documents.
He is charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action and Gillen is facing a felony stealing charge.
To reach Tony Rizzo, call 816-234-4435 or send e-mail to trizzo@kcstar.com.
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