Sep 29, 2022

DNA in stolen car linked Kansas City man to year-old murder

Posted Sep 29, 2022 12:00 AM
White-photo Jackson Co.
White-photo Jackson Co.

KANSAS CITY—A Kansas City man faces multiple felony charges for a fatal 2021 shooting, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Celon D. White, 35, faces Murder 2nd Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and two other counts of Armed Criminal Action.

According to court records, on Sept. 8, 2021 Kansas City police responded to Truman Medical Center and were advised that a deceased man had been fatally wounded while he was in the area of 19th and Vine that evening.

The victim was identified as 33-year-old Mortez Falkner. In September 2022, police recovered the stolen vehicle involved in the shooting in the area of 28th and Walrond. Surveillance video showed that the vehicle was abandoned on Sept. 8, 2021, just hours after the homicide.

Testing of spent shell casings found at the homicide scene linked the defendant to the casings. In addition, DNA taken from the stolen vehicle found Sept. 15, 2022, also matched to the defendant.

Prosecutors requested the White be held on no bond.