KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges against the owner of SK Security for shooting a man.
Sidney Kile, 24, is facing first degree assault and felony gun action.
SK Security has offices in downtown KCMO at McGee Street and east of 12th Street where police were called to a shooting on the night of March 31.
According to charging documents filed by KCPD, Kile told investigators he and his girlfriend drove out of the business to find a stranger sitting in his car.
Kile drew his gun and ordered the man out. The man complied and began to walk away, until the individual learned that the police were on the way.
At the time, Kile told investigators the man ran in his direction in a “threatening manner” and tried to grab his gun which Kile fired at least twice.
Paramedics transported the man to hospital in serious condition.
Greg Watt, a criminal defense attorney, weighed in on the case.
“You have a property issue, then you have a self-protection issue and so it all gets mixed up in this case,” Watt said.
Watt is not representing anyone associated with this matter, but has reviewed it.
He says that under the law, a person cannot shoot someone to protect their property, but can do so to protect themselves and others.
“If someone feels like they’re facing imminent, serious physical injury and they don’t have the ability to retreat,” Watt said. “If imminent means it’s being forced upon me, it’s happening right now. I can’t back down, I can’t walk away, I can’t seek refuge somewhere.”
There are other factors to consider for self-defense.
“What options did the shooter have? What is the size difference in terms of the physique of these individuals? How close are these individuals? said Watt.
While Kile won’t speak, his attorney John Picerno sent a statement to KSHB 41 News that read in part:
“Sidney is a businessman, who owns multiple businesses, including a security company, and is licensed to carry a firearm. He has no prior misdemeanor or felony convictions by the state. Initially, a prosecutor of Jackson County reviewed this case and declined to press charges. We were surprised when the case was recently filed. Sidney acted in self-defense to protect himself and his girlfriend from harm. imminent. Sidney will plead not guilty to all charges, and we look forward to the opportunity to try this case before the Jackson County Jury. This event was a traumatic experience for Sidney and his girlfriend, who both sought counsel. “
John Picerno
In addition to facing criminal charges, Kile no longer has a private officer’s license, according to to KCPD who issues the license.
A spokesperson told KSHB 41 News that Kile expired on April 15 and is not eligible for renewal.
“It’s up to the process, the judicial process to uncover the facts to determine whether self-defense was appropriate in this case,” Watt said.
Kile is due to make his first court appearance in the case on May 23 at 1:30 p.m.
