Crime

One person dead after midday shooting outside Independence apartment complex: Police

police siren
police siren Courtesy: McClatchy Co.

Update: Police have identified the deceased as Donnie M. Kirkland, 20, of Independence.

Independence police are investigating a fatal midday shooting that took place near the Sugar Creek Apartments Wednesday.

Officers responded to the area of Sundown Drive and Claremont Avenue following reports that an adult man had been shot, according to Officer Kelley Rupert, a police spokesperson.

The man sustained injuries and was pronounced dead at a local hospital, Rupert said. The shooting is now being investigated as a homicide, with an investigation still underway as of Wednesday afternoon.

Wednesday’s shooting was the ninth homicide reported in Independence in 2024, according to data collected by the Star. The deceased was the sixth person fatally shot in broad daylight in Independence this year.

At this time last year, three homicides had been reported in the city, according to The Star’s data.

This story was originally published June 5, 2024 at 3:41 PM.

Ilana Arougheti
The Kansas City Star
Ilana Arougheti (they/she) is The Kansas City Star’s Jackson County watchdog reporter, covering local government and accountability issues with a focus on eastern Jackson County .They are a graduate of Northwestern University, where she studied journalism, sociology and gender studies. Ilana most recently covered breaking news for The Star and previously wrote for the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and Raleigh News & Observer. Feel free to reach out with questions or tips! Support my work with a digital subscription
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