One way we keep track of the general health of Kansas City, Missouri, is by paying attention to the press releases from the police department. When someone's killed, one of the KCPD's public information officers sends out a notice with a number.
Yesterday at 5:06 p.m. came this one, under the subject line "Homicide #126":Today at approximately 4:30pm, KCMO Police were called to an
apartment complex in the 100 block of
in regard to a shooting. Upon arrival officer's observed a shooting
victim (white male approx. 20yrs old) inside a vehicle behind the apartment
complex. The victim was pronounced dead a short time later. A female witness
stated that a white male shot the victim and fled on foot. The suspect is
described as a white male, 5'8, medium build, wearing a red hooded
sweatshirt/jacket and blue jeans. Detectives are on the scene and ask that
anyone with information to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.
If no one's murdered today, we'll narrowly avoid tying 2005, with its 127 homicides, for the bloodiest year of the decade. C'mon, people. Let's not kill each other today, OK? -- C.J. Janovy
