By Andrew Lynch
Police officers in Kansas City responded to an “physical disturbance,” which turned into a murder investigation, last week. They found two men bound, taped and zip-tied, outside of O’Reilly Auto Parts. The one who didn’t pulse was the other.
Documents in court reveal more information about the investigation, and the events that occurred before Diamond Steen (23 years old) was discovered dead. Investigators reported that he had been put into a chokehold just before his death.
The Wyandotte County District Attorney charged Carl Kemppainen, 39, with second-degree homicide in Steen’s death.
The district attorney has filed additional charges in relation to an alleged incident of shoplifting, and a dispute that took place between the suspect and employees at a store.
Keysean Perkins, 23, and Royal Ford, 23, are facing new charges of battery and theft. Court papers state that Perkins attempted to leave with Steen.
The detectives that interviewed Kemppainen reported that he had told them he knew about shoplifting in a different O’Reilly store a few days before.
Court records state that he believed the two Black men at the 47th Street and Parallel store were the men described as driving the car in the prior incident.
Kemppainen reported that he observed Perkins putting a cannister of paint into his pocket, along with a package containing sandpaper. The items were valued at $73. Steen and Perkins, according to detectives, were spotted on video leaving the store before stopping at front registers.
In the video, Kemppainen runs after Steen and tries to make him stop. He shuts a door of his car and takes a key from Steen.
Court documents state that Kemppainen choked Steen after he had thrown the key fob in the parking lot. Steen then tried to retrieve the keys.
The detectives stated that the video showed Perkins trying to diffuse the situation, by dropping the paint can and trying to convince Kemppainen Steen be released from the chokehold. Ford then pulled Perkins back and tried to arrest him.
Detectives claim that a third employee entered the store, returned with tape and attempted to wrap Perkins wrists and ankles.
According to court documents, Ford is shown in the video stomping on Perkins’ neck and upper-back, causing a wound that required stitches.
Perkins gave a false name to detectives when they tried to talk to him, which led to an obstruction charge. He did not give an official interview, and asked for an attorney.
Detectives reviewed the video footage from store cameras as well as that of witnesses and said neither Steen nor Perkins had ever been seen to punch Kemppainen or engage in a fight with him.
The struggle between suspects and workers was corroborated by a witness, who provided detectives with video. Witness also stated that Kemppainen sat down on Kemppainen’s back after Steen appeared to be dead.
FOX4 received this O’Reilly Auto Parts statement last week.
O’Reilly Auto Parts was deeply upset by the death, injuries and events that took place at its store in Kansas City. “We are fully cooperating with the police investigations.”
Mark Dupree, DA of the District Attorney’s Office in Toronto said at a press conference that only law enforcement officials should try to arrest someone.
Dupree stated that “they put in a lot of hours of training and months to master their weaponry, their skill to stop or deescalate a situation while maintaining the life of a victim so we could deal with them at a court of law.”
It’s vital that everyone in the community is aware that it’s the job of law enforcement to police the streets.
Perkins Ford is due to appear in court on October 17. Kemppainen, who has posted a local bond of $125,000 but remains in custody for charges out-of state, is also due to appear before the court on October 17. The next court date is October 17.
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