One young victim in KC triple slaying will be buried Saturday

Nineteen years ago Saturday, Yale Washington welcomed her son, Shannon, into the world. He was chubby, with a head full of curly, red-tinged hair.

Her firstborn son.

Images of that baby boy, and how she held him in her arms, will flood her mind Saturday, on his birthday. It’s also the day she’ll tell him goodbye.

Earlier this week, Shannon Rollins Jr., along with Bianca R. Fletcher, 17, and the woman’s toddler son, Joseph, were found shot to death inside a south Kansas City home. Police have made no arrests and continued their investigation Friday.

Washington, who will join other mourners at a midtown church, described her son’s death as heart-wrenching but said he is in a better place.

“I am sad about how he left this earth, but I am not mad that he is gone,” Washington said Friday. “He is at peace now. Shannon is on a different journey than we are now.”

Fletcher’s brother found the bodies about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday inside the home in the 5900 block of East 84th Street, just west of Interstate 435.

Police did not release details of what they think happened inside and have said nothing of any possible suspects.

On Friday, the relatives of Fletcher declined to comment.

Fletcher attended Raytown South High School.

Rollins attended Raytown High School but did not graduate. His mother said Rollins had taken several courses online and was working toward his GED. His son, Jayden, will turn 1 year old later this month, Washington said.

Rollins was an avid dancer who recently performed with local rapper Tech N9ne. He also was part of a freestyle dancing crew called #FindOut whose movements fused various elements of breakdancing, pop-locking and hip-hop.

They performed at graduation parties, schools and birthday parties.

Several months ago, Rollins began working for a cleaning service, A Green Way. He quickly gained the favor of his co-workers and supervisors.

“He made a big impact in the short months he was here,” said company owner Dee Ferguson, starting to cry. “He would show up with doughnuts and he had so much energy. He would be the one who get everyone pumped up.”

Ferguson said Rollins was a favorite among his co-workers, often taking on extra assignments without being asked. He always had stories and frequently shared his dreams of becoming a professional dancer. He wanted to try out for the television program “So You Think You Can Dance?” when auditions were held in Kansas City.

“I told him there was only so many things that you can do in Kansas City and asked, ‘Why are you here?’” Ferguson said. “He was here because of his son.”

She said that she encouraged Rollins to continue his education and that she would help him. Rollins was recently promoted and began training to become a crew leader, she said.

Rollins was in good spirits when arrived to work Tuesday.

But when he didn’t show up Wednesday and didn’t call, that was unlike him, Ferguson said.

“Everyone was just a little freaked out about it,” she said.

He didn’t show up Thursday either. His co-workers soon learned that Rollins had been killed.

“Everyone had a terrible feeling about it. I just can’t explain it,” Ferguson said.

Washington recalled that Rollins was a quiet child, but outgoing in his own way. They had fun together, and he could be goofy.

The events of the past week have been difficult, Washington said.

“Yes, I am going to be sad and, yes, I am going to cry and, yes, this is hurting me,” she said. “His soul is already gone. It is just a shell of Shannon there right now.”

This story was originally published September 11, 2015 at 2:30 PM with the headline "One young victim in KC triple slaying will be buried Saturday."