08-03-2025
Second man charged with murder in fatal shooting of Kansas City convenience store owner
A second man has been charged with murder after a south Kansas City convenience store owner was fatally shot in a confrontation over a bag of chips and a drink that were allegedly stolen from his store.
Justin J. Arbee, 25, was charged Thursday with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of 65-year-old Zulfiqar 'Joe' N. Ladhani, the owner of Joe's Liquor and Convenience Store. Kevin L. Herring, 25, was also charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in Ladhani's death on Feb. 21.
Police responded to the scene around 6 p.m. on Feb. 10. Ladhani was found with multiple gunshot wounds outside his store in the 8000 block of Hickman Mills Drive. Emergency responders declared him dead at the scene at 6:14 p.m., according to court documents.
Arbee, Herring and another suspect had allegedly arrived at the store together in a Ford Expedition, two members of the group carrying guns, according to court documents. The group entered the store, where Arbee allegedly stole several items, court documents read.
As the trio returned to their car, Ladhani allegedly followed with a pistol, which he pointed through the front passenger window at Arbee, court documents read. Arbee passed the stolen items back to Ladhani through the window, after which Ladhani headed back toward the store, according to court documents.
As Arbee and the third suspect began to drive the Expedition out of the parking lot, Herring got out of the car and allegedly fired multiple shots at Ladhani. At the same time, Arbee allegedly fired multiple shots at Ladhani from the passenger seat of the car.
The third suspect, who was in the back seat of the Expedition, was arrested Feb. 14. He has not yet been publicly identified by prosecutors in relation to the shooting.
Court documents also indicate that the shooting was captured on video by nearby surveillance cameras, with footage contributing significantly to the three suspects' arrests. Investigators also spoke with two witnesses who were not injured, according to court documents.
Funeral services for Ladhani were held Feb. 16 in Kansas City. He is survived by four children.
Arbee is not eligible for bond, according to court records. His first hearing has not yet been scheduled. Herring, who is being held on a $500,000 bond, will next appear in court March 13 for a bond hearing.
Ladhani's death was the 21st homicide reported in Kansas City in 2025, according to data collected by the Kansas City Star. At the same time last year, seven homicides had been reported in the city, according to Star data.
Previous reporting by The Star's Nathan Pilling contributed to this coverage.
