‘Somebody saw something’ mother pleads in asking for KC’s help to solve son’s murder

Annetta Authorlee’s heart still aches and the emotional scars remain months after burying her 34-year-old son, who was found gunned down in a bullet-ridden car at 16th Street and Lister Avenue.

On Thursday, Authorlee joined Kansas City police in their appeal for the public’s help in finding those responsible for her son’s death.

John C. Jones of Kansas City was found fatally shot Nov. 1 inside of an overturned car. The exterior of the car had gunshot damage.

Witnesses told police three men jumped into a black vehicle that had pulled up and then sped north from the wreckage after the shooting.

“Somebody saw something, that is why I am begging, pleading for somebody to come forward with some information,” Authorlee said. “This is so hard for me.”

Investigators think there were others in the car but have not determined who they were. Nor do they know why he was in the area prior to the shooting. The car traveled a city block before it crashed and overturned.

“We believe there were individuals who know what happened, who maybe even saw what happened and they have information that would help us solve this crime,” said homicide Sgt. Martin Cobbinah. “We need those individuals to come forward and provide us a piece to this puzzle so we can solve it and bring closure and bring some finality to this investigation.”

Jones was newly married and was looking to spend time with his grandson, who celebrated his first birthday the day after Jones was gunned down.

The Kansas City native went to high school in Omaha. Jones moved back to Kansas City, where he received training as a barber at Job Corps, Authorlee said.

Jones was hoping to launch a career as a rapper and had worked on his music with relatives.

“No one wants to lose a child,” Authorlee said. “I’m having a hard time dealing with this. A very hard time dealing with this. Although he was 34, he was still my baby.”

A $5,000 reward is being offered for information in connection to the shooting. Anyone with information should call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

This story was originally published January 18, 2018 at 2:25 PM with the headline "‘Somebody saw something’ mother pleads in asking for KC’s help to solve son’s murder."