Kansas City, Kansas, teen identified as person found shot in car last weekend, police say
A Kansas City, Kansas, teen has been identified as the victim of a fatal shooting over the holiday weekend.
Nicholas Blaze Brooks, 17, was found dead inside a car Saturday around North Second Street and Quindaro Boulevard, according to Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department spokesperson Jovanna Cheatum.
Police responded to the intersection around 11:20 a.m. on reports that someone had been shot. Brooks was dead by the time officers arrived, according to Cheatum.
KCKPD’s Major Case Unit is still investigating the shooting, according to Cheatum.
Funeral services for Brooks will be held on December 14. A fundraiser benefiting Brooks’ family, as well as funeral costs, went live Thursday.
In a heartfelt tribute shared to his fundraiser page, Brooks’ family described the teen as empathetic, resilient and courageous.
“He knew how to make people laugh, how to give the most heartfelt hugs, and how to stand by his loved ones, no matter the circumstances,” the tribute reads. “He was a bright light in our lives, and the pain of his absence is overwhelming.”
Brooks struggled with his mental health throughout his life, relatives wrote. Throughout his teenage years, he worked to build stability and joy for himself while staying close to friend and family.
“His spirit was unbreakable, and his ability to embrace who he was, in spite of everything, was a lesson in courage,” relatives wrote.
Brooks’ death was the 23rd homicide reported in Kansas City, Kansas, in 2024, according to data tracked by The Star. By the same time last year, 21 homicides had been reported in the city.
Robert A. Cronkleton contributed reporting.
This story was originally published December 3, 2024 at 3:59 PM.
