Public Safety : Johnson County Sheriff
Knob Noster police complete investigation into shooting death; prosecutor to decide if charges will be filed against wife
Jul 9, 2008, 10:50 AM
By ANDREA BARTLOW
KNOB NOSTER, Mo. -- The Johnson County Prosecutor’s Office will receive the Knob Noster Police Department’s final report today on the fatal shooting of Sonny D. Brown by his wife, Debra Kay Brown.
Police Chief Brian Kniskern would not comment on what the department is recommending concerning murder charges. He said the report includes all the facts and evidence from the case and it will be up to the prosecutor’s office to decide how to handle the case.
“The priority is to give [the prosecutor’s office] all the facts,” Kniskern said. “It is up to them if they find grounds for homicide.”
The shooting occurred June 28 at the Browns’ residence at 708 East McPherson St, Knob Noster and Brown died July 2. The autopsy report showed he had been shot in the neck with a .357 magnum handgun. Brown had previously given the gun to his oldest son, Nathan, 17, as a gift.
A toxicology report will be released July 18.
Knob Noster police responded to a medical call at the Brown residence the day prior to the shooting, when Brown allegedly fell off his riding mower and injured himself.
Officers James Martin and Brian Woods arrived at the residence and dealt with a difficult situation that ended with Brown getting Tazed and driven by ambulance to Western Missouri Medical Center by force.
According to the Knob Noster police department report, Brown had injuries on his forehead and back that he said were caused from falling off the riding mower. Police also observed scratches and cuts on his legs and arms, which he blamed on a cat and an injury on his chest, which he said occurred when he fell on an axe. The reporting officer pointed out that he did not see an axe.
Despite pleas from his spouse, police and paramedics, Brown refused to be treated for his injuries or go to the hospital, insisting that he was fine and just wanted to mow his yard. The police report states Brown was despondent and intoxicated and they had to resort to Tazing him three times to get him into the ambulance. Despite his condition, Brown told officer Martin that if anyone Tazed him again, “everybody would be sorry because he would kill everyone.”
Police discovered through Brown’s and Debra’s statements that he had consumed approximately half a bottle of Everclear on June 27 and hospital staff reported his blood alcohol concentrate was .326.
After being admitted to WMMC later that evening, Brown checked himself out against medical advice, and left without notifying police or his wife.
Kniskern said it was clear that Brown had an alcohol abuse problem and that he was self-mutilating, but that the June 27 incident prior to his death was the only time the Knob Noster police had been called to his residence.
Debra is under protective detention, and her stepsons, Nathan, 17, and Nick 15, are with their biological mother.
Brown, 44, was a member of the Air Force Reserve 442nd Fighter Wing and a veteran of the Iraq War. He and his wife had been married five years.
Police Chief Brian Kniskern would not comment on what the department is recommending concerning murder charges. He said the report includes all the facts and evidence from the case and it will be up to the prosecutor’s office to decide how to handle the case.
“The priority is to give [the prosecutor’s office] all the facts,” Kniskern said. “It is up to them if they find grounds for homicide.”
The shooting occurred June 28 at the Browns’ residence at 708 East McPherson St, Knob Noster and Brown died July 2. The autopsy report showed he had been shot in the neck with a .357 magnum handgun. Brown had previously given the gun to his oldest son, Nathan, 17, as a gift.
A toxicology report will be released July 18.
Knob Noster police responded to a medical call at the Brown residence the day prior to the shooting, when Brown allegedly fell off his riding mower and injured himself.
Officers James Martin and Brian Woods arrived at the residence and dealt with a difficult situation that ended with Brown getting Tazed and driven by ambulance to Western Missouri Medical Center by force.
According to the Knob Noster police department report, Brown had injuries on his forehead and back that he said were caused from falling off the riding mower. Police also observed scratches and cuts on his legs and arms, which he blamed on a cat and an injury on his chest, which he said occurred when he fell on an axe. The reporting officer pointed out that he did not see an axe.
Despite pleas from his spouse, police and paramedics, Brown refused to be treated for his injuries or go to the hospital, insisting that he was fine and just wanted to mow his yard. The police report states Brown was despondent and intoxicated and they had to resort to Tazing him three times to get him into the ambulance. Despite his condition, Brown told officer Martin that if anyone Tazed him again, “everybody would be sorry because he would kill everyone.”
Police discovered through Brown’s and Debra’s statements that he had consumed approximately half a bottle of Everclear on June 27 and hospital staff reported his blood alcohol concentrate was .326.
After being admitted to WMMC later that evening, Brown checked himself out against medical advice, and left without notifying police or his wife.
Kniskern said it was clear that Brown had an alcohol abuse problem and that he was self-mutilating, but that the June 27 incident prior to his death was the only time the Knob Noster police had been called to his residence.
Debra is under protective detention, and her stepsons, Nathan, 17, and Nick 15, are with their biological mother.
Brown, 44, was a member of the Air Force Reserve 442nd Fighter Wing and a veteran of the Iraq War. He and his wife had been married five years.
