Kansas City 2021 Homicides Hit #113 As Violent Crime Ranking Rises

Thankfully, Summer wasn't as violent as many expected and so far the number of murders hasn't kept pace with last year's horrific and record-breaking count.

However . . .

There's still a great deal of work to accomplish and the level of violence remains consistent with an overall upward trend over the past 7 years. Whilst there were 148 murders at this time last year . . . The year before that, the number was 114 and only 99 at the outset of October in 2018.

Moreover . . .

Let's not forget that this last part of the year is typically just as violent as Summer given holiday season pressure and a worsening financial situation for many locals.

Accordingly . . .

Tonight we focus on local crime news links that start with KCMO's latest homicide along with info on less crimes, police action, law enforcement trends and all manner of news related to local street life.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . .

FBI data: Kansas City ranks in top 10 of highest violent crime rates in U.S.

by: Becky Willeke Posted: / Updated: ST. LOUIS- Violent crimes increased nationwide during 2020, and St. Louis is third in the nation when it comes to its violent crime rate. Kansas City and Springfield, Missouri also landed among the top 10 cities in the country according to new data from the FBI.

27-year-old dies days after shooting, crash in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City police say a 27-year-old man has died from his injuries two days after he was shot inside a vehicle. The shooting happened Tuesday near 53rd Street and Brighton Avenue. Police were initially dispatched to an injury wreck after a driver crashed into a pole.

Man shot Tuesday at 53rd & Brighton dies from his injuries

KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- A man who was shot in Kansas City on Tuesday afternoon has died from his injuries, according to the KCPD. Officers went to the area of 53rd and Brighton Avenue at 3 p.m. for what was originally reported as an injury accident due to a vehicle crashing into a pole.

KCK police, local congregation looking for killers of innocent bystander

WYANDOTTE COUNTY, KS (KCTV) -- A KCK congregation is in mourning after one of their own was shot and killed while driving home from church earlier this month. Sister Lillian Jackson, 62, was an active member for more than six years at the Mount Zion Baptist Church in KCK.

Highway patrol looking for suspect involved in fatal hit-and-run

by: Juan Cisneros Posted: / Updated: KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Missouri State Highway Patrol is trying to identify the suspect(s) in a fatal hit-an-run just after midnight on Thursday. According to police, at about 12:34 a.m., two women parked their motorcycles facing each other under the Blue Ridge overpass on Truman Road to take pictures of their bikes.

2 teens charged with murder in deaths of 2 other juveniles in KCMO

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two teens were charged Thursday for their alleged involvement in the murders of two juveniles who were shot and killed in March. The Jackson County Office of the Juvenile Officer charged both teens in juvenile court with two counts of second degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action.

Woman says she tried running over Kansas City mechanic to protect her kids

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Jackson County woman said a Kansas City mechanic isn't telling the whole truth about an incident that involved a gun. Nearly the only thing Yanna Sigars and her former mechanic Jugbear Kitara agree about concerning their mutual August 20 meeting is the location at the intersection of Wabash and Lexington in the city's Old Northeast.

KCPD says missing 9-year-old has been found safe

KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- The Kansas City Police Department is looking for a missing 9-year-old. Police say Keron Livingston was last seen around 5 p.m. today, walking west from the 3700 block of Highland Avenue. He left the area wearing tan shorts and no shirt or shoes.

One year later, Kansas City family still looking for answers in 1-year-old's deadly shooting

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City mom's life took a drastic turn around this time last year. Juhna Payton, her husband and son were shot in a car right in front of their home last September. That shooting killed 1-year-old Tyrone Payton and a year later his mom is still searching for answers.

2 former Leavenworth guards charged with smuggling drugs into federal prison

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. - Two former prison guards at Leavenworth Detention Center have been indicted by a federal grand jury on counts accusing them of smuggling drugs and other contraband into the prison, according to federal authorities. According to court documents, Jacqueline Sifuentes, 25, of Laredo, Texas, previously worked as a correctional officer at Leavenworth Detention Center, a privately run, maximum-security federal prison in Leavenworth.

Lee's Summit shooting victim remembered for legacy of providing for others

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - 24-year-old Brian Salinas was identified Monday as the victim in a Lee's Summit shooting from Sunday night. Salinas' friends and family held a candlelight vigil in Kansas City, Kansas, Thursday night. Those that knew him say his legacy of providing and caring for others deserves to be honored.

Homicides up nearly 30% in 2020, biggest 1-year jump ever, FBI says

WASHINGTON (AP) - Homicides in the U.S. in 2020 increased nearly 30% over the previous year, the largest one-year jump since the FBI began keeping records, according to figures released Monday by the agency. Homicides and non-negligent manslaughters climbed an estimated 29.4% to 21,570, an increase of 4,901 over 2019, FBI data showed.

KCPD working to build police academy, while department sees staffing concerns

Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department is pushing to hire as many new officers as they can, while many officers are leaving the department. "Here (Kansas City Police Academy) they try to simulate that will put them in situations to get you ready," said Officer Damon Harrell, a recruiter with KCPD.

Developing . . .