KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The reward for information in the death of a 9-year-old boy fatally shot in an exchange of gunfire in Kansas City, Missouri, has increased to $10,000.
Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers says those with tips that lead to an arrest or the filing of charges in the death of Dominic Young Jr. could be eligible.
Crime Stoppers says elected officials and a pastor are among those contributing to the reward.
BACKGROUND
Dominic's father told police he was driving with his son just before midnight January 20 when people in two other vehicles began shooting at each other.
The father didn't initially realize that his child had been caught in the crossfire and continued driving to suburban Grandview. When his wounds were discovered, the boy was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Kansas City police said it happened just before midnight at the intersection of Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard and 71 Highway.
Rosilyn Temple of KC Mothers in Charge visited with the family after the shooting and said they're understandably distraught.
"Children are supposed to bury us. As parents we are not supposed to be burying our children," she said.
Family members said Dominic was a 3rd-grader at Ingels Elementary.
Relatives told 41 Action News Monday he wanted to be a football player when he grew up.
Dominic’s life was cut short as he was heading home after spending his Saturday with family at a skating rink.
His mother, Christine Anderson, told us this tragedy occurred seven days before her birthday. She simply wants her son’s killer caught and off the streets.
“If I could know who did that, that would bring some kind of closure to this family, knowing that person is not out there. They can’t hurt anyone or anybody else,” Anderson said.
The boy’s great-grandmother, Denise McCraney, also lost her son to violence.
“We can’t bring him back, but we don’t want this person to have the opportunity to take another life, trying or not trying. Please turn yourself in, give up,” McCraney said.
Police worked through the night, trying to piece together what happened and who might be responsible.
Shortly after 2:30 a.m. the following morning, another crime disrupted the scene. Police stopped a suspected drunk driver after she broke through crime scene tape and nearly hit a group of investigators.
Police have not named any suspects.
If you have any information, call KCPD or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
