Kansas City records 88th homicide of 2015

A 23-year-old woman shot in the head late Sunday while traveling in south Kansas City has died, police said Friday.

Police identified her as VerNea Watson of Kansas City.

A man traveling with Watson told police that he was driving near Hillcrest and Bannister roads when he heard several gunshots just after 10 p.m. Sunday.

One bullet struck Watson in the head.

The driver told police he did not see any pedestrians or vehicles nearby. He drove Watson to a residence in the 9300 block of Newton Avenue and called police.

Watson died Tuesday, police said. Investigators learned about her death late Thursday.

On Friday, friends recalled Watson’s buoyant and outgoing personality.

“She was very sweet, generous and outspoken,” said Erica Trotter, who attended classes with Watson at Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley. “She was an all-around beautiful person.”

Most recently, Watson worked as home health care provider. She was the oldest of five siblings.

“We had each other’s back,” said Angelia Sitton, a childhood friend and co-worker. “If I was down, she was there to cheer me up, and if she was down, I was there to cheer her up. She was always there no matter what.”

Her death is the city’s 88th homicide of the year, compared to 65 at the same date a year ago.

This story was originally published November 6, 2015 at 9:44 AM with the headline "Kansas City records 88th homicide of 2015."