Woman shot and killed on her 21st birthday in KC’s Valentine neighborhood
Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a woman Tuesday evening in Kansas City’s midtown area, a police spokesman said.
Officers responded at 9:45 p.m. to West 37th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Kansas City’s Valentine neighborhood after callers reported hearing gunfire and seeing a woman lying in the street, said Capt. Jake Becchina with the Kansas City Police Department.
Arriving officers found the unresponsive woman in the street. Emergency medical crews declared the victim deceased, Becchina said.
The victim was identified as Layla A Freeman, whose 21st birthday was Tuesday.
A preliminary investigation found that the woman had some “interaction” with one or more people, which led to gunfire and the victim being fatally shot, Becchina said.
Police are investigating the woman’s death as a homicide, and no suspect information has been released.
Homicide detectives and crime scene investigators looked for witnesses and collected evidence.
The killing is Kansas City’s 57th homicide of the year, according to data tracked by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings. That compares to 52 homicides reported by this time last year.
Detectives ask anyone with any information about the homicide to call the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS (8744). Information submitted anonymously to the hotline can earn a reward of up to $25,000.
Witnesses can also contact homicide detectives at 816-234-5043.
This story was originally published May 14, 2025 at 6:49 AM.
