Kansas City Homicide #22: Gunfire Kills Victim Found During Church Fire

Something to consider . . .

Now that the Winter cold SEEMS to be complete . . . 

KANSAS CITY HOMICIDE COUNT REMAINS AHEAD OF OUR DEADLIEST YEAR!!! 

In 2023, at this date on the calendar the total numbered only 21. Here's today's report shared with the media that pushes ahead of that pace . . . 

Homicide LATE DEATH 2400 block of Chestnut

On 02/01/25 around 2:30AM, officers were dispatched to the 2400 block of Chestnut on a reported incident with KCFD.

KCFD responded to the area to extinguish a structure fire. Upon bringing the fire under control, KCFD crews located a deceased male victim inside of the building.

The KCPD Bomb and Arson detectives, along with crime scene personnel responded to the scene to gather evidence and collect witness statements.

KCPD detectives were notified at a later time that the medical examiner had discovered the deceased victim was suffering from a gunshot wound. The medical examiner is still working to determine the final cause of death, however further investigation has resulted in this death being suspicious in nature and is subsequently being investigated as a homicide.

The victim has been identified as Blair, Dwayne B/M 12/03/1958.

Homicide detectives have assumed responsibility of the case and will be working to determine the series of events that took place leading up to the structure fire. They are making headway in identifying a person of interest and no one is currently in police custody.

The investigation is ongoing at this time.

If anyone was in or around the area at this time and saw or heard anything they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS there is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouri’s Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the State’s administering agency.

We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents.

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

Deadly vacant Kansas City church fire being investigated as homicide

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Homicide investigation underway for death in vacant church fire

An apparent vacant church fire that resulted in a death in early February is now under investigation by Kansas City police as a homicide.

Developing . . .