Kansas City’s 2025 homicide count increases by one. Here’s why
Kansas City’s number of homicides for last year increased by one after the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled a man’s death by blunt force trauma in July was a homicide, according to a police spokesman.
The number now stands at 141 homicides in 2025, according to data tracked by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings. That compares to 147 killings in 2024. The deadliest year was in 2023, when 185 people were killed.
The victim was identified as 63-year-old Randy D. McKinney.
At about 3:30 a.m. on July 3, officers responded to the 1800 block of Woodland Avenue in Kansas City’s Wendell Phillips neighborhood to investigate a report of shots being fired, said Sgt. Phil DiMartino with the Kansas City Police Department.
Arriving officers found a man suffering from life-threatening injuries, and he was taken to a hospital. Detectives from Kansas City Police Department’s assault squad responded to the area started an investigation.
On July 14, detectives were notified that the victim died of his injuries. At the time, it could not be determined if his death was a homicide, DiMartino said. Homicide detectives took over the death investigation.
The medical examiner’s office ruled last week that McKinney’s death was a homicide and that he had died as a result of a blunt force trauma, DiMartino said. The investigation into his death is ongoing.
Detectives ask that 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.
