KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Police continued to search on Tuesday for whoever shot and killed a 19-year-old man outside a pool hall the night before.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is handling the investigation and identified the victim as 19-year-old Riley McCrackin.
On Tuesday, his friends told 41 Action News that his death left them heartbroken.
“There’s nothing in this world for anybody that you can do to deserve that at 19,” said Trenady Keeton, who said she first met McCrackin a few years ago. “He has family. He has friends. He had a girlfriend. He had people to live for.”
Keeton told 41 Action News that McCrackin lived in Belton and often made time for any friends in need.
“He cared a lot about his friends,” she said. “He had everyone’s back no matter what happened. If you needed something, you’d text him and he’d be there.”
After hearing that McCrackin had been shot multiple times in the parking lot behind the Raytown Recreation pool hall off East 63rd Street, another friend said the violence didn’t make sense.
“Regardless of a person’s past or a person’s history, nobody deserves to be shot and killed over anything,” said Starlette Simpson, one of McCrackin’s friends. “Regardless of what did happen, gun violence is never the answer.”
Police tape could still be seen outside the pool hall on Tuesday.
Investigators said two people seen running from the crime scene have not been found and no arrests have been made in connection to the shooting.
Moving forward, Starlette Simpson hoped police could soon find whoever was responsible.
“You can’t take it back,” she said. “You can’t give us that person back. You can’t unshoot that gun.”
Police ask anyone who may have information on the case to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).
Friends are raising money to help McCrackin’s family with expenses. To donate, click this link.
