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Suspects apprehended in murder of Kansas City bicycle commuter

Submitted by Brent Hugh on Sat, 11/26/2005 - 6:39am
Two suspects have been apprehended in the murder of a Kansas City man who was bicycle commuting home from an overnight shift about 6AM Sunday morning, November 20th.

The two suspects have told police investigators that they were bored, looking for something to do, and so decided kill someone. Their first plan was to knock on area doors, shooting the first person who answered. Then they stalked a woman driving a car. Then they followed Robert Osborn, 43, stopping to fire at him twice from their vehicle and missing both times. Police believe Osborn may not have heard these shots or realized he was being fired at.

The two men then drove their vehicle ahead of Osborn, hid behind a tree, and then shot him in the back of the head as he passed by.

After the two men fled, a coworker of Osborn's who happened to be driving by stopped to give aid. A passer-by who is a paramedic unsuccessfully tried to revive Osborn.

One of suspects, in jail on an unrelated charge, gave information about his role in the killing to police investigators. This information led to the identification of the second suspect and his surrender several days later.

The shooting happened near 47th and Blue Ridge Blvd in Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Osborn regularly commuted by bicycle from his home in the Raytown area to his work at Hyvee on 40 Hwy.

Police believe this murder may be related to other recent area homicides that also appear to be random, but no charges have been filed at this time.

According to a coworker, Osborn not only rode his bicycle to work, but pretty much everywhere he went.

The Missouri Bicycle Federation and the Greater Kansas City Bicycle Federation are planning a ride in memory of Mr. Osborn.

Plans are for the ride to meet at the Hyvee parking lot, 40 Hwy and Noland Rd in Kansas City, MO at 11AM, Sunday, December 11th. Please contact brent@brenthugh.com for more details.

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