$1 million cash bond set for Carthage teen charged with second degree murder

A $1 million bond has been set for Elijah M. Hardee, 19, who is charged with second degree murder in connection with the February 15 shooting death of Johny Reyes Garcia, 22, Carthage. 

From the probable cause statement:

On 2/15/2025 the Carthage Police Department was contacted in reference to a disturbance involving a weapon. The reporting party advised on the 911 emergency call that someone had been shot at the residence and that there was a large physical disturbance ongoing.

Upon officer arrival, there was a large group of people standing around a male who was lying in the yard. The male had suffered an apparent gunshot wound and first aid was being rendered. The male was later transported to Mercy Carthage Hospital via ambulance where he was later pronounced deceased.

During a subsequent investigation, several witnesses were contacted on scene, as well as surrounding neighbors to the residence. Witness 1 was standing by the victim when he was shot and identified the male with the pistol as Elijah Hardee.

Witness 2 was also in close proximity to the victim and identified Elijah Hardee as the male who had the pistol. Witness 3 was in a physical altercation with another subject while the shooting occurred. Once a gunshot was heard, their fight stopped and they turned to look and identified Elijah Hardee holding a gun.

While a neighborhood canvass was being conducted, witness 4 approached officers and advised that they had taken a video of the entire incident. While observing the video, Hardee is observed to be partially involved in the physical altercation before stepping back, pulling a pistol from his person and firing a shot into the victim.

Witness 4 then observed Hardee and 3 other unknown subjects flee the scene in a passenger vehicle. Hardee was observed wearing a black hoodie and blue athletic shorts on the video.

Hardee was stopped and contacted in a traffic stop by the Joplin Police Department on 02/15/2025 at approximately 2040 hours. Hardee was the passenger in the traffic stop wearing a black hoodie and blue athletic shorts.

Witness 5 was later contacted and interviewed. Witness 5 stated that they were standing behind the victim trying to pull another male off during the physical altercation portion of the disturbance. Witness 5 stated that they observed Hardee pull a gray/black pistol from his hoodie pocket area and shoot the victim.