First-degree murder charge filed in shooting death of CMU football player

A charge of first-degree murder has been filed against a 23-year-old Memphis, Tennessee, man held in the shooting death of Central Methodist University football player Torrance Evans. 

Kundarrius Kinte Taylor, also a student at CMU, reportedly admitted to shooting Evans two times on the evening of August 25 at a home on Linn Street, about a block from the university campus in Fayette. He then left the scene but later returned and turned himself in to Fayette police officer John Schell.

According to a probable cause statement filed by Cpl. N. J. Shinkle of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Mr. Taylor admitted under questioning that he had not been getting along with Mr. Evans for over a month and indicated that he felt disrespected on numerous occasions.

Mr. Taylor said that on the day of the shooting, Mr. Evans was making verbal requests and/or demands. He told Mr. Evans to wait. When Mr. Evans persisted, Mr. Taylor brandished a handgun from his backpack, chambered a round, and advised Mr. Evans to stop. 

Mr. Evans then advanced toward Mr. Taylor, who fired the pistol. Mr. Taylor admitted to shooting Mr. Evans a second time, either while he was falling or after he had fallen.

The Central Methodist campus was put on lockdown for a brief time after Thursday’s shooting. Later that night, President Roger Drake announced that classes would be canceled on Friday and that mental health counselors and Methodist clergy had been deployed to aid students and staff. At 1 p.m. on Friday, United Methodist Church Bishop Robert Farr led a prayer meeting on campus for more than 100 students, faculty, coaches, and staff.

Bishop Farr said there are no magic words to wash away the hurt. “What I do know is that there are people here in this room that care deeply about you and whose presence here today will say more than words,” he said. 

Bishop Farr, one of only 60 UMC bishops in the world, said he contracted President Drake after he learned the news and wanted to be present for the CMU family. “I care deeply about this place and about who you are and what you’re becoming,” he said.

He offered prayers and dedicated the rest of his day to help those grieving.

Bill O'Neal, pastor at Linn Memorial United Methodist Church on the CMU campus told those gathered, “my heart is broken for all of you.” He reiterated that they are in a safe place. 

“It’s going to take a long time to get through this. But we will get through this, and we are going to be a better people at the end of this,” Pastor O’Neal said. “Every single human being in this room is deeply loved and cared for.”

Katie Wooldridge, director of the counseling center on campus, told those gathered to allow themselves to grieve and explained how to make appointments for counseling.

President Drake said on Thursday that the news had rocked the campus. “We are all in shock.”

CMU head football coach David Calloway addressed his team around 8:30 p.m. Thursday, about two hours after the shooting.

“Coach Callaway had a moving, tear-filled meeting with entire squad tonight,” Dr. Drake told this newspaper. “The team is simply reeling from this tragedy.”

Mr. Evans, a senior, was a returning starter for the CMU football team’s offensive line.

Mr. Callaway and the team met again on Friday and decided to go on with Saturday’s planned season-opening football game at home against Grand View. (See full game recap on page 8)

Howard County Prosecuting Attorney Deborah Riekhof filed the charge of first-degree murder around 2 p.m. on Friday, August 26. According to the felony complaint, Mr. Taylor faces a term of life in prison without the possibility of probation or parole if convicted. 

First-degree murder can also carry the penalty of death. Mrs. Riekhof said it is too early to determine whether her office will seek the death penalty.

The case is currently under investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s division of drug and crime control.

In an arraignment held Tuesday morning in Howard Circuit Court, Mr. Taylor waived formal arraignment and pleaded not guilty to the charge of first-degree murder. He appeared before Judge Mason Gebhardt with his attorney, Benjamin Sidney Faber.

Mr. Taylor’s mother, Coach David Callaway and many members of the Central Methodist University football team were in the courtroom for Tuesday’s arraignment. 

Judge Gebhardt denied Mr. Faber’s request for bond. Mr. Taylor is being held in the Howard County Jail. He is scheduled to return to court at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, October 11, for a preliminary hearing setting.