Early Sunday morning, a shooting in Kansas City, Missouri, left three people dead and five others injured. The police were called to investigate the incident just after 4:30 a.m. near 57th Street and Prospect Ave.
Upon arrival, they found three shooting victims in a parking lot and the street just south of the intersection. Two men and one woman died at the scene, while at least five more shooting victims arrived at various hospitals by private vehicles or ambulances. Police say they have non-life-threatening injuries.
After investigating throughout the day, the police identified a subject of interest at a residence in the 5300 block of Martha Truman Road in Grandview, Missouri. Detectives responded to that location just after 5 p.m. and took an adult man into custody without incident for further investigation. The identity of the man taken into custody will only become public if charges are filed.
Kansas City’s mayor, Quinton Lucas, expressed his condolences to the families of the three people killed in a series of tweets on Sunday morning. He also called for the closure of businesses that allow after-hours gatherings without security, selling alcohol, and thwarting the law.
Police believe there was a large gathering of people in the parking lot at the intersection when the victims were shot. Detectives are urging anyone around the area at the time to call the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS, as they believe there are many witnesses that could have valuable information. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.
The victims’ identities and additional circumstances regarding the shooting have not yet been released by law enforcement. The investigation is ongoing, and detectives will be working to gather investigative findings to present a case to prosecutors for consideration of applicable charges.
The incident is yet another tragic example of the ongoing gun violence in Kansas City, which has seen 97 homicides so far this year, compared to just over 70 at this time last year. Community leaders are calling for an end to the violence and urging people to put their guns down. The police department is also asking for the community’s help to solve this crime and cut down on violent crime in the city.