Death by Cop – 2023
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Taran Morris 1 of 2
Case # :924
Gender : Male
Age : 20
Race : White
Date : 09/02/2023
Location : 9th+Main City: Joplin
City : Joplin
County : Jasper
State : Missouri
Agency : Joplin PD
Officer(s) :Unknown
Cause of death : Vehicle
Event : Killed by police chase crash
Disposition : No Known charges
Open records summary :
Joplin PD tried to initiate a traffic stop at 10th and Main Streets but two motorcycles refused to stop and fled. Police escalated a chase and they sped up to 80-100 mph. The motorcycle with Taran Morris fleeing crashed into the motorcycle of a third party motorist, Mark McGowan, 60, also on a motorcycle as McGowan was leaving a parking lot and Morris ran into him during the police chase, killing McGowan. Two died and the other young man also fleeing with Morris was arrested and charged with second degree murder even though he was not involved in the accident.