Kansas City police are asking for additional witnesses to come forward regarding the fatal shooting Sunday night of Jacob A. Brantner of Lee’s Summit.
Some witnesses have been cooperating, but investigators hope more people will come forward with tips and information that could help solve Brantner’s homicide, said Sgt. Kari Thompson, a police spokeswoman.
“We would love to have someone give us a call,” Thompson said.
Police were gathering surveillance video to see whether it caught incidents leading up to Brantner’s death, including whether more than one person was involved.
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Brantner, who went by the name Jake, was shot to death in the parking lot of a shopping center in the 8700 block of East 63rd Street.
A Kansas City police officer working off-duty security in the area heard the gunshots and found Brantner, who died at the scene.
Brantner had gone to the area to sell a firearm, a sale he had arranged through the Internet.
Police said Wednesday that they were looking for a blue Ford Five Hundred with a sunroof that might have been at the scene.
Brantner, who had ties to the racing community, owned Jake’s Performance Fabrication in Lee’s Summit.
A friend declined to comment for this story, saying the family also would not be talking to the media.
According to his company’s website, Brantner’s business grew out of a hobby he started more than 15 years ago. He had been working out of his home’s two-car garage for eight years and recently opened his own shop in Lee’s Summit. The fabrication company, according to the website, offered simple to exotic machining and welding to complete race car construction.
“If you can dream it, we can build it,” the company said.
A Jake Brantner Legacy Fund fundrasing page on YouCaring.com describes him as a true artist in life and in his profession.
He had a passion for building race cars but also could bring life back to wagons, bikes and tables. He also was a gun enthusiast. He leaves a wife and daughter, according to the fundraising page.
A memorial Facebook page includes a post from a friend who described Brantner as very charitable, including helping to build a race-car-themed wheelchair for a child.
Police ask anyone with information about Brantner’s death to call the Tips Hotline at 816-474-8477.
Robert A. Cronkleton: 816-234-4261, @cronkb
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