Officers responding to a report of theft reportedly demanded that Stokes drop a gun and show his hands before shooting him twice, though Stokes did not have a gun on him. There was a gun found later in his friend's car, but Stokes was unarmed when killed by police. His mother said that she never has believed the Police Department's account of her son's death and maintains he was not armed that night. A jury found the officers were justified in shooting Stokes.
Victim's Name: Ryan L. Stokes
Agency Responsible: Kansas City Police Department
Gender: Male
Age: 24
Race: Black
Date of Death: July 28, 2013
County: Jackson
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Official Disposition: Justified
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: No
Armed: Unarmed/Did Not Have an Actual Weapon
Weapon: unarmed
Geography: Urban