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Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Western District of Missouri

For Immediate Release

Thursday, May 11, 2017
Tom Larson
, United States Attorney
Contact: Don Ledford

NKC Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Discharging Firearm During Police Pursuit

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tom Larson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a North Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for firing a pistol into the air as he attempted to outrun police officers.

Jason P. Summers, 33, of North Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 10 years in federal prison without parole.

On Nov. 22, 2016, Summers pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm in relation to a drug-trafficking crime.

Summers admitted that he fired two shots in the air while he was being pursued by police officers on Aug. 19, 2015. A North Kansas City police officer attempted to conduct a pedestrian check when he saw Summers walking down the street, but Summers ignored the officer’s request to stop and instead fled on foot. Additional officers joined the foot chase. One officer witnessed Summers remove the gun from his waistband, look back at the officer, and fire two gunshots into the air.

Summers attempted to hide between two cars in a parking lot in the 2700 block of Burlington Street, but officers were able to apprehend him. Officers found the firearm, an SCCY Industries 9mm pistol, underneath a vehicle next to where Summers had been hiding. The gun was loaded with ammunition. Two fired cartridge cases were also recovered from the scene.

During a search of Summers, officers found various controlled substances, including psilocybin mushrooms, approximately 1.6 grams of marijuana, prescription drugs and a plastic baggie containing approximately 1.6 grams of methamphetamine. Summers told officers he had possessed and distributed approximately three pounds of methamphetamine over the past six months. Summers also admitted he had stolen the firearm from his father because he needed it for protection due to his involvement with methamphetamine. Summers explained he ran from police because, since he was a felon, he did not want to get caught with the gun. Summers said he fired two rounds into the air, hoping it would create some distance between himself and the officers during his escape.

Summers admitted that, at the time he discharged the firearm, he was involved in a conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Davids. It was investigated by the North Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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Kansas City Field Division