KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Kansas City man is facing multiple felony charges, including second-degree murder, following the fatal shooting of a construction worker in May. Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced Monday that 29-year-old Zechariah Hoskins-Ellis has been formally charged in connection with the death of 25-year-old Zackery Matthews.

Hoskins-Ellis is charged with second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon. According to court documents, Kansas City police responded to a shooting call near East 73rd Street and South Benton Avenue on Friday, May 16.

When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered Matthews lying on the ground with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to a local hospital, but despite emergency efforts, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead three days later, on May 19.

The probable cause statement revealed that Matthews had been performing construction work on a home in the area at the time of the incident. Witnesses told detectives that an argument broke out between Matthews and Hoskins-Ellis outside the residence. During the confrontation, Hoskins-Ellis allegedly went to his truck, retrieved a firearm, and shot Matthews in the head.

"Based on the witness reports and evidence gathered, this appears to be a senseless escalation of a verbal dispute," said Prosecutor Melesa Johnson. "Our office will seek full accountability through the judicial process."

Police arrested Hoskins-Ellis on Friday, June 6. He is currently being held in custody on a $500,000 bond.

Community members in the neighborhood expressed shock over the incident. “He was just here doing his job,” said one resident who asked not to be named. “It’s heartbreaking to see something like this happen over an argument.”

Matthews’ family has asked for privacy but described him as a hardworking and kind-hearted man who was passionate about his trade and looking forward to starting his own construction business.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are asking anyone with additional information about the case to contact the Kansas City Police Department or the TIPS Hotline.

Originally reported by Delaney Evermann in Fox 4 news.