Grandview police lament few leads in shooting death

Grandview police investigating the shooting death of a 25-year-old father said Friday they have generated few leads and need the public’s help finding the man’s killers.

As of midafternoon Friday, police had received zero calls to the TIPS Hotline about what led to the slaying of Donald “Donny” Ray Herron Jr., a former high school and college quarterback.

“We know there is probably someone who knows something about this tragedy who can call … and help us bring justice to this family,” said Sgt. Dean Van Winkle.

Three assailants broke into a home before dawn Monday in the 6000 block of 153rd Street and confronted Herron’s girlfriend. They ordered her to call Herron, who was on his way home.

“They would not leave until Herron came home,” Van Winkle said.

Herron had been out with a friend. He and his friend fought the intruders before one shot Herron several times.

The intruders took several items and fled. Police were called about 3 a.m. Herron died later Monday morning at a hospital.

The Metro Squad that had been activated to investigate the slaying has disbanded.

Investigators believe the assailants did not go to the residence to harm Herron but to steal specific items, Van Winkle said.

“We believe this was done for the purpose of stealing property, money, jewelry, whatever,” he said. “It was the fact that they weren’t finding enough there at the time and thought maybe could get more with him if he came home.”

As a youth, Herron excelled in sports.

He graduated from Lee’s Summit North High School in 2009, where he was an honorable mention all-conference football player. He attended Iowa Western Community College. In 2014, Herron transferred to Missouri Western State University, where he was later a backup quarterback.

He recently became a father and was engaged to his girlfriend.

On Friday, relatives, former classmates and longtime friends filled the sanctuary inside Bethel Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kan., to say goodbye. Emotion overcame many as they walked past Herron’s open casket.

Megan Ford said she had watched her cousin grow from a little boy into a responsible young man.

“He visited me in St. Louis, and I told him how proud I was of him,” Ford said.

The Rev. Nathan Jones, the church’s pastor, encouraged Herron’s family to seek God’s love and understanding.

“We pray that God will be with you through your grieving and that God will continue to heal you and comfort you,” Jones said. “Take your time in your grieving process.”

Police ask anyone with information about the shooting to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.

This story was originally published June 10, 2016 at 1:24 PM with the headline "Grandview police lament few leads in shooting death."