Kansas City police are investigating a shooting that took the lives of three people Tuesday night in south Kansas City, one of them an infant. This is the fourth deadly shooting in the city in the past week.
Authorities say police responded to a call at a home in the 5900 block of E. 84th Street at about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. They found the bodies of a man, woman, and an infant inside, all dead from apparent gunshot wounds.
Police spokesperson Tye Grant called it a "completely senseless act." He says the victims were discovered by a family member who returned home. There was no suspect description as of Wednesday morning. Grant encourages anyone with information to call the TIPS hotline at 816-474-8477.
Mayor Sly James, County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker and Police Chief Darryl Forte personally came to the scene as investigators looked for evidence and residents and media gathered outside the home.
.@MayorSlyJames @jeanpetersbaker responded to triple homicide scene. KC fortunate to have so many caring officials. pic.twitter.com/kT3VWDZc7f
— Darryl Forte' (@sheriffforte) September 9, 2015
Other city leaders voiced their frustration with this latest incident via Twitter, too.
1 more thing. This isn't about trends or statistics yr-to-yr. It's about three people whose lives were cut short today; more last weekend.
— Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) September 9, 2015
Looking for heroes to step up to provide even the simplest information to police. Be a hero. Call police. https://t.co/haoCIkjf1q
— Jean Peters Baker (@jeanpetersbaker) September 9, 2015
Tuesday's shooting comes after a deadly Labor Day weekend that saw three fatalities. Two shootings occurred outside bars late at night. Police have identified the victim in one of those incidents as 20-year old Neka Gleason.
Another incident occurred early Saturday morning when a mother shot her own five-year old son while arguing with her boyfriend.
A recent analysis by The New York Times showed that Kansas City's homicide rate had gone up 20 percent before this most recent spate of killings.
Police officials say Tuesday's triple homicide pushes the city's yearly total to 63.
