20-year-old admits to drunkenly firing pistol during road rage incident on I-29

NORTH KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A 20-year-old, too young to even purchase a handgun, has been charged after he admitted to drunkenly firing a gun during a road rage incident.

Clay County, Missouri, Circuit Court records filed on Sunday, May 25, indicate that Gunner L. Keeran, 20, of Smithville, has been charged in connection with a road rage incident.

A probable cause statement filed by the North Kansas City Police Department revealed that law enforcement officials stopped on the gore to observe traffic along I-29 near Levee Rd. in North Kansas City, spotted two pickups speeding and flashing their lights at each other.

As law enforcement officials caught up to the pickups, they spotted the drivers make multiple traffic violations. The drivers were believed to have been involved in a road rage incident. As the trucks continued along I-35, more than half a dozen gunshots were heard near the Parvin Rd. exit.

Investigators said they continued to follow the pickups as backup was called in. Both drivers continued to speed carelessly as rain began to fall and roadways became slick. The trucks were clocked at speeds of up to 90 mph during the incident.

Ultimately, law enforcement officials said backup arrived and 2 traffic stops were initiated simultaneously on Highway 169 north and south of Barry Rd. As the driver of one pickup was taken into custody, a firearm was found in the possession of a passenger, later identified as Gunner.

After Gunner was taken into custody, investigators said he admitted to having consumed alcohol while being a minor and firing the gunshots on the interstate. During the investigation, it was also found that he had previously been convicted of carrying a pistol without a permit in Breckenridge, Minnesota.

Law enforcement officials noted that Gunner is still not of legal age to purchase a pistol. As a result, he has been charged with unlawful use of a weapon. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison.

As of Thursday, May 29, Gunner no longer remains behind bars as his $20,000 bond has been posted. A hearing has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on June 26.