Skip to content
NOWCAST KMBC 9 First News on KCWE at 7AM
Live Now
Advertisement

Court Documents: Man On Bike Slain For Fun

Police Seek 'Person Of Interest' In Homicide

Advertisement
Court Documents: Man On Bike Slain For Fun
Police Seek 'Person Of Interest' In Homicide
A man shot to death while riding his bike home from work early Sunday morning was apparently killed for fun, court documents reveal.Rapheal L. Willis, 19, was charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Robert W. Osborn, 43. Willis made his first court appearance Wednesday.Osborn was on his way home from work at an Independence grocery store when he was shot near 47th Street and Blue Ridge Boulevard.According to court documents, Willis told detectives that he was with another man and that his friend said he was bored and wanted to kill someone.The two drove around the area of Highway 40 and Noland Road. About 5:15 a.m., the pair saw a woman driving by herself and Willis told investigators that he and his friend came up with a plan to rob and kill her, but then they saw Osborn riding his bike near 47th Street and Norfleet.Willis said they stopped the car on the side of the road and fired one shot at Osborn with a 12-gauge shotgun. The shot missed Osborn. Willis told detectives that they drove a little bit further, stopped and his friend again fired at Osborn, but missed him.The pair then drove ahead of Osborn and parked the car behind a building. Willis said his friend got out and stood behind a tree and when Osborn passed, the man opened fire, hitting Osborn in the back of the head.Willis said his friend went up to Osborn and kicked him with his foot. When he got no response, they jumped in the car and left.Investigators said it's possible Osborn didn't hear the first two shots because he was wearing headgear."You're relieved at that, but then when you do find out that it was strictly random -- I understand that they were just looking to kill someone -- that is just devastating," said Ron Osborn, the victim's brother.Friends and coworkers told KMBC's Peggy Breit that they're not surprised this was a random shooting."I kind of knew it from the beginning because if you knew him, there's just no way you would ever do anything to hurt that guy," said Paul Hoppman, manager of the Hy-Vee where Robert Osborn worked.Police are looking for a person of interest in the case: 20-year-old Fabian Brown, of Kansas City. Officials said Brown is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on his whereabouts can call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.Meanwhile, Willis is being held without bond. He is due back in court next month.Previous Stories: November 22, 2005: Victim's Brother Wants Answers After Shooting November 21, 2005: Man On Bicycle Shot To Death

A man shot to death while riding his bike home from work early Sunday morning was apparently killed for fun, court documents reveal.

Rapheal L. Willis, 19, was charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Robert W. Osborn, 43. Willis made his first court appearance Wednesday.

Advertisement

Osborn was on his way home from work at an Independence grocery store when he was shot near 47th Street and Blue Ridge Boulevard.

According to court documents, Willis told detectives that he was with another man and that his friend said he was bored and wanted to kill someone.

The two drove around the area of Highway 40 and Noland Road. About 5:15 a.m., the pair saw a woman driving by herself and Willis told investigators that he and his friend came up with a plan to rob and kill her, but then they saw Osborn riding his bike near 47th Street and Norfleet.

Willis said they stopped the car on the side of the road and fired one shot at Osborn with a 12-gauge shotgun. The shot missed Osborn. Willis told detectives that they drove a little bit further, stopped and his friend again fired at Osborn, but missed him.

The pair then drove ahead of Osborn and parked the car behind a building. Willis said his friend got out and stood behind a tree and when Osborn passed, the man opened fire, hitting Osborn in the back of the head.

Willis said his friend went up to Osborn and kicked him with his foot. When he got no response, they jumped in the car and left.

Investigators said it's possible Osborn didn't hear the first two shots because he was wearing headgear.

"You're relieved at that, but then when you do find out that it was strictly random -- I understand that they were just looking to kill someone -- that is just devastating," said Ron Osborn, the victim's brother.

Friends and coworkers told KMBC's Peggy Breit that they're not surprised this was a random shooting.

"I kind of knew it from the beginning because if you knew him, there's just no way you would ever do anything to hurt that guy," said Paul Hoppman, manager of the Hy-Vee where Robert Osborn worked.

Police are looking for a person of interest in the case: 20-year-old Fabian Brown, of Kansas City. Officials said Brown is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on his whereabouts can call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.

Meanwhile, Willis is being held without bond. He is due back in court next month.

Previous Stories: