'Child abduction': KC teen taken by suspect after her grandfather is shot, police say
An Amber Alert was issued Thursday afternoon for a teenager who police believe is with the suspect in a shooting that injured the teen's grandfather.
Kansas City police said there had been a "confirmed child abduction" following the shooting in the 2700 block of Elmwood Avenue, where her grandfather lived.
The teen, Brajaean Sledge, left with the suspect in her grandfather's vehicle, said Jacob Becchina, a Kansas City police spokesman. He added that there are no indications the teen knows the suspect, "which is precisely why we’re very concerned for her safety tonight."
The grandfather, who is in serious but stable condition, told police he'd never seen the suspect before.
Brajaean is 15 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs about 125 pounds.
The suspect, a man between 18 and 20 years old, should be considered armed and dangerous. He's described as 5 feet 6 inches tall and about 160 pounds.
The suspect and the teen left in a 2017 Kia Forte with a Missouri plate: MB5-G5B.
Charazz Marr, 14, and Montay McKinney, 19, live across the street from the home and heard two gunshots. It sounded as if they were fired inside the home, they said.
"My condolences and prayers to that family and to the grandfather and to the teen who’s missing," McKinney said.
"It's real hard to see," added Charazz. "People are dying every day. You just gotta keep your little ones close to you."
Teresa Perry and Alissa Henderson, two activists, and Pat Clarke, a contractor who works with Kansas City police, were on scene in the residential neighborhood Thursday evening.
"We'll canvass, talk to friends and family," Henderson said. "The streets talk. … They'll tell more than to the TIPS Hotline."
Perry pleaded with the suspect to not harm Brajaean.
"Please drop her off safely," she said. "Please Jesus. Please drop her off."
Police urge anyone with information about Brajaean's whereabouts to call 911 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.
This story was originally published June 21, 2018 at 7:54 PM with the headline "'Child abduction': KC teen taken by suspect after her grandfather is shot, police say."