In a tragic turn of events in Independence, Missouri, a man is in custody after allegedly taking the lives of his two stepsons. The local police apprehended Terrill S. Anderson, 40, with multiple charges including second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter. The victims were identified as 23-year-old Adonis Knight and 30-year-old Mario Batrez. The incident unfolded on the evening of October 29, when law enforcement received a distress call about gunfire in a residential area.
On-site, police were met by Anderson’s wife who reported that her husband had fired at her sons. Both men were found deceased in the kitchen, surrounded by evidence of the violent confrontation. Surveillance footage pieced together the harrowing sequence of events leading to the shooting, revealing a scuffle in the home’s sub-basement and near the garage. The footage further showed Anderson wielding a handgun and firing warning shots before the fatal moments.
Despite Anderson’s claim of self-defense during his interrogation, stating he had been assaulted and was responding to threats, the surveillance video contradicted his account, showing no weapons with the victims at the time of the shooting. Currently held on a $250,000 bond, Anderson’s actions have left an irrevocable mark on the family. The deaths have deeply affected the community, with the victims being remembered for their vibrant presence and loving nature. Knight, who was nearing his 24th birthday, and Batrez, a father of two, leave behind a family now engulfed in grief and seeking justice.