Second Arrest Made in Connection With July 27 St. Joseph Drive-By Shootings

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — A second person has now been charged in connection with a pair of shootings that occurred in St. Joseph during the early morning hours of July 27.

Jasadies Lynn Clayton, 21, of St. Joseph, has been charged with aiding and abetting discharging a firearm at or from a motor vehicle, according to court documents.

The charges stem from a shooting reported at approximately 4:07 a.m. in the 2000 block of Messanie Street, near the Frog Hop convenience store.

Victim Seriously Injured

According to a probable cause statement, officers arrived to find a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso. He was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.

Investigators also determined that a nearby residence had been struck by gunfire. Officers recovered multiple shell casings from the roadway.

Surveillance Video Tracked Suspect Vehicle

Police say surveillance footage identified the suspect vehicle as a white 2019 Buick Encore registered to Clayton.

Investigators tracked the SUV using video from multiple locations, eventually following its path back to the 1000 block of Charles Street, where Clayton's boyfriend, Devon Banks, lived.

Authorities say video also captured Clayton driving the same Buick shortly after another shooting on Mason Avenue earlier that morning. Approximately 40 minutes after the Messanie Street shooting, the vehicle reportedly returned to the scene, where officers made contact with Clayton.

Driver Allegedly Admitted What Happened

Clayton was arrested on July 31 while driving the same Buick investigators believe was used in both shootings.

According to court documents, after being advised of her rights, Clayton told investigators she was driving while Banks fired at least five rounds from the passenger-side window as they drove through the Messanie Street area.

Police say Clayton admitted she did not stop after the shooting or notify authorities, despite later learning someone had been struck.

Investigators also allege Clayton acknowledged she had been driving the Buick several hours earlier when Banks fired shots from the vehicle, striking a residence on Mason Avenue.

Court records state that Banks also identified Clayton as the driver during both incidents.

Second Arrest in the Investigation

Clayton is the second person charged in connection with the July 27 shootings.

Last week, Devon Banks, 26, was arrested and charged with multiple felony offenses related to the same investigation, including unlawful use of a weapon and shooting at or from a motor vehicle.

Clayton is being held on a $10,000 bond. She is scheduled to make her initial court appearance at 8:15 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, before Judge Rebecca Spencer in Buchanan County.

As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.