A Lansing, Kansas man is facing felony charges after shooting at a van during a road rage incident in Kansas City. He claims he acted in self-defense after being threatened, but evidence suggests he had multiple opportunities to de-escalate.
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KANSAS CITY, MO (3-minute read) — A Lansing, Kansas man is now facing serious felony charges following a road rage incident that escalated into gunfire on March 23, 2025, in Kansas City. Adam Burnett is charged with unlawful use of a firearm and armed criminal action after allegedly firing 17 shots at a van he says was trying to ram his Tesla.
According to court documents, the altercation began around 12:28 p.m. when Burnett reportedly cut off a white Ford E-350 while driving through the area of W. 69th Terrace and Pennsylvania Avenue. The van’s driver later caught up and returned the gesture, reportedly pulling ahead of Burnett’s car. From there, tensions escalated quickly, with both vehicles maneuvering aggressively through residential streets.
Nine witnesses reported hearing gunshots, and police found 11 shell casings at the scene. Surveillance footage reviewed by police showed a series of reckless driving maneuvers, with Burnett’s Tesla seen following the van and swerving to avoid collisions.
Burnett later told investigators he had been making food deliveries with his girlfriend at the time and felt threatened when the van began to reverse toward his vehicle. He claimed he was forced to fire his 9mm handgun in self-defense. Tesla footage did support the claim that the van was reversing in his direction, but also revealed Burnett running multiple stop signs in an apparent attempt to pursue the van.
A 911 call traced back to Burnett captured him threatening to shoot moments before 17 shots were fired. Disturbingly, a child’s voice can be heard in the background during the call, underscoring the risk to innocent bystanders.
Despite his self-defense claim, police found that Burnett had several chances to disengage but instead escalated the encounter. His girlfriend, a passenger during the incident, echoed his version of events and claimed he wasn’t acting with bad intentions.
Authorities issued an arrest warrant on April 7 with a bond set at $100,000.
Was This Self-Defense or Reckless Endangerment?
This case raises important questions about the boundaries of lawful self-defense, especially during road rage incidents. While individuals have the right to protect themselves, using a firearm carries heavy responsibility. Investigators in this case concluded that Burnett may have had options to avoid confrontation, which could undermine his self-defense claim in court.
Safety Tip: If you’re carrying a concealed firearm, always prioritize de-escalation and distance. Use your firearm only as a last resort when there’s an imminent threat to life or serious injury.
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