Independence Man Charged in Fatal Shooting of Wife

An Independence man, 41, has been charged in the fatal shooting Sunday of his wife, Daina M. Smith, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.

Ryan D. Smith faces Murder 2nd Degree and Armed Criminal Action charges.

According to court documents filed today, Independence police were dispatched to the 3600 block of South Greenwich Lane on reports that a man had shot his wife. Officers, upon arrival, found a man who yelled, “that man shot my mom.” Officers attempted to stop a Jeep after it left the residence. They stopped the vehicle and took the defendant into custody. The defendant initially told police his wife had been shot by a stranger. They found the victim deceased inside. The victim’s sons told police that one of them had received a call from a family friend who reported that the defendant told him something bad happened to his mom. When he called the defendant, Smith said, “I shot your mom in the head. I need help.” Witnesses said the victim had been unhappy with the defendant’s drinking.

Prosecutors requested a bond of $100,000.