Kansas City Crime Scene: Naming The Dead & Local Frustration

As crime continues to spike amid warmer weather . . . We check this quick collection of crime reporting, community outreach and just a few encouraging stories.

Check-it . . .

Police identify 14-year-old shot and killed

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department identified a victim shot and killed Wednesday morning as 14-year-old Derrick Thurman. Early yesterday morning, officers responded to a shooting call at the 8300 block of Wayne Ave. When they arrived, the 14-year-old boy was suffering from gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene after EMS arrived.

Sentencing for former St. Aquinas choir director leaves some unsatisfied

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Joseph Heidesch, a former St. Aquinas choir director, was sentenced to over five years in prison for secretly recording students. Heidesh, 47, pleaded guilty to 26 counts, including one count of sexual exploitation of a child and 25 counts of breach of privacy in December.

Lee's Summit 18-year-old charged in fatal shooting on May 13 in Lee's Summit

For Immediate ReleaseJune 8, 2023 An 18-year-old Lee's Summit resident faces Involuntary Manslaughter for recklessly causing the death of Dakota Wrightsman by shooting him, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today. Cooper D. Ashley, dob: 2/20/2005, faces Involuntary Manslaughter 1st Degree.* According to court records, Lee's Summit officers responded to a residence in Lee's Summit on a report of a shooting.

Grandview man accused of giving woman an illegal drug that killed her

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Grandview man faces a felony charge in Johnson County Court of distribution causing death for allegedly supplying a woman with a controlled substance that killed her. Cameron Bryant, 27, also faces six counts of use of a communication facility (cell phone) during a drug felony.

Clay County, Mo., deputy who helped teenager at Worlds of Fun honored by county

A Clay County Sheriff's deputy who assisted a teenager in crisis at Worlds of Fun in late May was honored this week by the Clay County, Missouri Commission. On May 24, deputy Jonathan Bransfield received a phone call about a teenager he knew who had climbed up the Worlds of Fun tower.

Platte County Sheriff's Office moving, offices getting upgrades from ARPA money

PLATTE CITY, Mo. - Big changes are coming to some Platte County buildings and offices thanks to $20 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money the county has left over. "We really decided to spend the money on county facilities," said Presiding Platte County Commissioner Scott Fricker.

Blair's Law finally passes along with other crime reducing measures

Two legislative measures passed just before this year's session of the Missouri General Assembly adjourned on May 12 which should help reduce our city's terrible rate of violent crimes. One affects celebratory gun fire and the other police department salary caps.

Nebraska city dedicates street name to Kansas City police officer James Muhlbauer, K9 partner Champ

Kansas City police officer James Muhlbauer and his K9 partner Champ were honored this week in Bellevue, Neb.The City of Bellevue dedicated a street name in their honor near Muhlbauer's childhood home in the city. Muhlbauer and Champ were killed in the line of duty on Feb. 15, 2023.

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