A 4-year-old boy was shot and killed in the backseat of a car during a rolling gun battle near Eighth and The Paseo early Monday morning.
KCPD tells 41 Action News that a vehicle unknowingly drove in the area where two cars were firing guns back and forth at one another.
The family of 4-year-old Mahsaan Kelley-Wilson says they were heading home from watching Game 7 of the NBA finals at a family barbecue when their car drove through the crossfire of a rolling gun battle near Eighth Street and The Paseo in KCMO early Monday morning.
Mahsaan was in the backseat with his 9-month-old brother Mahaaj when he was hit by a bullet. He was pronounced dead when he was taken to Truman Medical Center.
"A family driving in this area was unwittingly a victim of what appears to be some type of rolling gun battle," said Sgt. Kari Thompson with KCPD. "This is absolutely tragic. This family is unfortunately going to remember Father's Day as not a happy holiday."
The white Chevy Impala was towed to a local tow lot. A single bullet hole could be seen in the rear of the car on the passenger side.
4 yr old boy shot to death.. Is it going to take a #homicide in every house for community to wake up? @41ActionNews pic.twitter.com/YhXyxeScyZ
— Belinda Post (@Belinda_Post) June 20, 2016
Pat Clarke, community outreach specialist to the police chief, said change has to start in the home.
"This won't be the last baby. There will be another. Until we get to that and face that right there. This is going be what it is. I pray to God it will be," said Clarke.
Clarke said there is speculation on who could have been involved, though he said it may not be reliable.
"The streets always talk, but not when you need them to," said Clarke.
Community leaders are urging anyone who knows anything to come forward.
"This boy's life mattered," said Rosilyn Temple, executive director of KC Mothers in Charge. Temple met the grandmother of the boy who was killed at Truman Medical Center Monday morning.
"She was in tears," said Temple.
No other injuries were reported. Police do not have any suspect information at this time.
"It's black-on-black homicide. It's killing our children. How can you lay in bed today whoever you are knowing a baby was killed? Turn yourself in. Do the right thing. Be a man," said Temple.
Mahsaan's cousin Kymbr Logan pleaded at Sanford Brown Plaza Park for anyone with information to come forward. The park was Mahsaan's favorite playground.
"I know we don't want to play the whole snitching game," said Logan. "But when a 4-year-old is involved, I believe it's a little different."
Temple is hosting a vigil for Mahsaan at the park at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
"It's not the other people who are shooting at each other that are getting hurt. It's the innocent babies that are getting hurt," said Logan.
The family is needing help funding Mahsaan Kelley-Wilson's funeral services. You can visit his GoFundMe page here.
If anyone has information on this homicide, you are urged to please call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).
------
