'The senselessness of it.' Man booked on suspicion of killing Overland Park father
A man has been booked into the Johnson County Jail on suspicion of murdering his girlfriend's father in Overland Park.
"He’s being held on suspicion of second-degree murder," said Sgt. John Lacy, an Overland Park police spokesman.
The Star is not naming the suspected shooter as he has not been charged by the Johnson County District Attorney.
Police responded Tuesday morning to a home in the 8300 block of Switzer Street and found 52-year-old David Slater fatally shot.
Slater's sister, Carol Rawson, said Tuesday evening that the family was reeling.
"Dave would give the shirt off his back to anybody, and to have his life ended so abruptly is beyond words. It’s just a shock," she said. "Whatever happened — the senselessness of it. I don’t understand. None of us understand."
Rawson said Slater's daughter lived with Slater in his home on Switzer. Rawson believed the daughter's boyfriend was visiting his girlfriend Tuesday morning.
Slater was a night manager at Price Chopper, where he'd worked for 25 years. He leaves behind his daughter, wife and stepson.
"From a sibling standpoint, he was an excellent role model and brother," Rawson said.
The man held on suspicion of murder is 21 years old and has multiple criminal convictions, according to court records. He was guilty of two counts of misdemeanor possession and one count of misdemeanor theft in 2016.
His most recent listed address is in Overland Park, according to court records.
Slater's daughter is in her early 20s, Rawson said.
A 6-year-old girl was also shot, though Lacy said police had no indication that the girl was shot intentionally by the gunman. The child was reportedly the shooter's daughter and is expected to be OK after being hit in the leg.
Police do not know what prompted the shooting.
Neighbors called it a quiet area with lots of children and families. Children freely play outside, they said.
Rawson said Slater and the suspected shooter spent Easter together.
A bond amount has not been set in the case.
"We’re asking for prayers at this time, and anybody who has more information that they can provide to the family would be much appreciated," she said.
People with information about the incident are also encouraged to submit a tip to the Overland Park police or to the TIPS Hotline: 913-344-8728 or 816-474-8477.
This story was originally published April 10, 2018 at 10:03 PM with the headline "'The senselessness of it.' Man booked on suspicion of killing Overland Park father."