On February 10, 2021, Kalob Lawson, 34, and his friend Jonathan Lutz, 44, were killed after a dispute over a cord of firewood in unincorporated Platte County, Missouri. The men had delivered wood to a residence near Kansas City and were paid $200; the homeowner’s son believed his father had been shorted and followed the delivery vehicle onto Highway 9 near Parkville. Both vehicles stopped at the roadside and a confrontation followed.

The son shot Lawson and Lutz; Lawson was struck in the chest and face and died at the scene, while Lutz was taken to a hospital and later died of his wounds. The shooter initially fled but soon returned home and contacted 911 to surrender.

A grand jury reviewed the case and in October 2021 declined to indict the 22-year-old. The prosecutor said the shooter was justified under Missouri law, finding he reasonably believed deadly force was necessary to protect himself.