BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — A meeting with a supposed drug dealer, who goes by the alias “Popeye,” turned violent for a Blue Springs man who was sent to Centerpoint Medical Center on Monday with three gunshot wounds.
On Wednesday the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office announced that 40-year-old Mandel L. Perkins, aka “Popeye,” was charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action as he’s suspected to have shot the still unidentified victim. That victim was reported to have non-life threatening injuries.
Officers arrived on Monday around 3:15 p.m. and found the victim in the garage area of a duplex in the 1100 block of NW 1st Street. A probable cause statement alleges that detectives spoke with Cherrie Kemp, who rents the duplex, and her son, Brandon Kemp.
A detective was told that the victim was behind on his rent and that Cherrie Kemp introduced the victim to a supposed drug dealer. The probable cause statement mentions that neither of the Kemps were present for the shooting.
The victim spoke with investigators while he was still in the emergency room and said he had a meeting with Perkins and Perkins’ wife at the duplex. The victim said he was supposed to selling marijuana for “Popeye” but didn’t have his money.
After an exchange of words, the victim got upset, picked up a shelf and told them in a expletive-laced tirade to leave. The victim said that Mandel Perkins turned like he was going to leave but then turned around and started shooting at him.
Blue Springs investigators obtained a search warrant for both the victim’s home and Perkins’ home. Shell casings and two different caliber bullets were found at the victims’ home and investigators found three boxes of .40 caliber rounds at Perkins’ home.
Mandel Perkins was taken into custody on Wednesday and charged in the crime. Prosecutors are requesting a $150,000 bond for Perkins. No court dates have been announced yet.
