Family sues for wrongful death after woman fatally shot at Kansas City QuikTrip
The family of a 22-year-old woman killed in shooting at a QuikTrip in Kansas City two years ago has sued the company for wrongful death.
Tykeedra Henderson died after she was shot shortly after 1 a.m. July 4, 2024, at the QuikTrip store at 3101 Southwest Blvd. in Kansas City.
Henderson’s mother, Leyana James of Kansas City, and her aunt, Alisha Hutson of Burke, Virginia, filed the suit Monday in the Jackson County Circuit Court. Hutson is also the personal representative of Henderson’s estate.
They claim that QuikTrip knew, or should have known, that the store had a risk of crime and violence, and the company did not do enough to protect customers.
They are seeking an unspecified amount in damages.
A QuikTrip spokesperson did not immediately respond Wednesday to a request for comment.
Prosecutors in March 2025 charged Orlando D. Smith, 23, of Kansas City, with second-degree felony murder, as well as two counts of armed criminal action and one count of unlawful use of a weapon.
Smith, who was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, is being held in Jackson County jail on $250,000 bond. A jury trial is scheduled for March 22.
Henderson, who was enrolled in a phlebotomy training program at Longview Community College, was pulling into the parking lot in her Ford Escape when she was shot and killed, her SUV rolling to a stop against a curb, according to court documents.
Smith, who had arrived earlier in another car, allegedly told police that he had gotten out and gone around the side of the building to urinate when a approached him. Smith turned and shot at the man, according to court documents.
Detectives determined that based on surveillance video and statements by Smith and witnesses, he allegedly shot Henderson as she was pulling into the parking lot, according to court documents.
In their lawsuit, Henderson’s family contends that there were warning signs like loitering, disorderly conduct, weapons-related activity, robberies, trespassing and theft in the area, making the risk of violence foreseeable, and that QuikTrip failed to take reasonable steps to protect customers.
The family also contends that QuikTrip failed to adequately monitor the parking lot and exterior of the store, to detect and respond to threatening conduct in time, to train and supervise staff, and to call for or render aid promptly after the shooting.
