KS Teen Benjamin Mason Arrested In Saturday Murder Of Independence Teen Kimberly Meeks

INDEPENDENCE, KS. (THECOUNT) — Benjamin J. Mason, of Coffeyville has been identified as the suspect arrested in the drive-by shooting death of Independence, Kansas woman, Kimberly D. Meeks.

Mason, 18, was taken into custody and charged with first degree murder in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Meeks, also of Coffeyville.

According to officials, they responded around 6:00 p.m. on Saturday to the area of West Laurel Street & West Main Street, in Independence, KS on reports of shots fired. When the arrived, they found a female suffering from apparent gunshot injuries.

Meeks was later pronounced dead at the scene of gunshot wounds.

Authorities learned that Meeks and a male were walking in the area when someone fired gunshots at them from a car and fled. The male with Meeks, who is believed to be about 19-year-old, also ran from the area, according to reporting by KOAM.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigations says Mason was arrested at his home in Coffeyville on Sunday afternoon. Authorities booked Mason into the Montgomery County Jail.

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Geo quick facts: Independence Township is a township in Doniphan County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2000 census, its population was 342. Coffeyville is a city in southeastern Montgomery County, Kansas, United States, located along the Verdigris River in the state’s southeastern region. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 10,295 – Wikipedia.