Kansas City man charged after fatally shooting neighbor over lawn dispute

A Kansas City, Mo., man has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting his neighbor over a lawn dispute that lasted for years.

Samuel Avery, 42, allegedly shot Warner Trotter, 41, while he was on his porch. Avery then called 911 to turn himself in and was arrested without incident.

Avery was charged Monday with second-degree murder and armed criminal action.

In this photo provided by the Kansas City, Mo., police department, Samuel Avery is pictured in a booking photo.

Police had been called to the men’s homes on two previous occasions when the men argued about Avery using his lawn mower too early in the day.

Avery reportedly told investigators the two had argued about it for 10 years.

He also said Trotter threatened to shoot him over the loud mower and waved a gun at him.

Later a woman in the house heard Trotter and Avery speaking outside before hearing several shots.

Avery told investigators he started shooting when Trotter reached for a gun but security video showed Trotter begin entering the house, not reaching for a gun, when Avery fired.

However, paramedics reported they removed a gun from Trotter’s waistband before they began treating him. He died later at the hospital. An examination determined Trotter’s gun had not been fired.

Avery’s bond was set at $100,000 and he was ordered to wear a monitoring device, house arrest and not to possess or be near weapons.

With News Wire Services