KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Wyandotte County District Attorney announced charges Thursday in the
shooting deaths of four people at a home in Kansas City, Kan.
Adrian Burks, 37, was charged with four counts of premeditated first degree murder and could face capital murder charges, District Attorney Jerome Gorman said. He is accused of shooting to death James A. Warren, 66; Amanda J. Remmers, 21; Peggy Castleberry, 41; and Juanita D. Castleberry-Bess, 3.
Click Here to See Gorman's Opening Statement at Thursday's Press Conference
The three adults were found inside Warren's home in the 5200 block of Muncie on Monday. Juanita was discovered outside near the front door. Wyandotte County Coroner Allen Hancock said Wednesday the victims -- all from Kansas City, Kan., -- all died from multiple gunshot wounds.
Burks was also charged with one count of felony fleeing and eluding -- stemming from the
police chase that led to his apprehension on Tuesday -- and a
charge of aggravated battery -- in relation to an alleged attack just hours before the killings.
Gorman said domestic violence was the driving factor in the case and that the killings may be related to a March 21 incident in which Burks was injured during a shooting.
Gorman said the victim of the alleged battery was present during the March 21 incident but not one of Burks' alleged victims.
Burks remained in jail Thursday morning on $2 million bond.
Gorman said his office had not decided yet if capital murder charges would be filed in the case, but said the case could qualify based on the fact that Burks allegedly killed more than one person.
If capital murder charges are filed, Burks could face either the death penalty or a life sentence without a chance of parole. Under the current first degree murder charges, Burks could face a life sentence without being eligible for parole for 25 years.
Though Burks has already been charged, Gorman says they are still looking for more information about the case.
"We believe there are people out there that know more evidence than what we have," Gorman said. "Especially the whereabouts of Burks from Monday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon. That's something we'd like to have."
If you have any information about the case, please contact the Kansas City Kansas Police Department Homicide Unit at (913) 573-6020.
