Smithville Elementary Special Ed Teacher Accused Of Weekend Murder

A man that had been working as an elementary school special education teacher at a Smithville elementary school has been accused of murder.

Steven Lester Woods is charged with 1st-degree murder, 1st-degree assault, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon following an altercation Sunday morning that left his 18-year-old stepson dead and his wife with multiple gunshot wounds.

Charging documents describe a fight Sunday between Woods and his wife at their Clay County home. The fight ultimately resulted in Woods allegedly shooting and killing his stepson and leaving his wife with wounds to her thighs, eyes, and neck.

Since 2022 Woods has been a special education teacher at Maple Elementary in Smithville. He has also worked at KC Center and North Kansas City schools.

The Smithville superintendent sent a letter to families Monday alerting them that he had been “arrested and charged with several serious crimes.” The district says they immediately placed Woods on administrative leave.

Woods is in custody and is being held on a $1 million cash-only bond. He is due in court Monday at 1:30 P.M. for a bond reduction hearing.