KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A late-night shooting at a Kansas City apartment complex has claimed the life of a 19-year-old man, leaving authorities searching for clues. Police responded to reports of gunfire at the Bennington Ridge Apartments shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday, where they discovered Dewayne Toombs suffering from gunshot wounds.
Emergency crews rushed Toombs to a nearby hospital, but medical personnel were unable to save him. The Kansas City Police Department’s homicide unit has taken over the investigation, though no suspects have been identified or arrested as of Wednesday morning. Detectives are working to determine what led to the violent encounter.
“This appears to be a targeted incident, not a random act of violence,” said KCPD spokesperson Capt. Leslie Foreman. “We’re following several leads but need the community’s help to piece together what happened.” Crime scene investigators spent hours processing evidence at the complex, which has seen increased police presence in recent months.
Toombs’ death marks Kansas City’s latest homicide in what has been a violent start to the year. Friends described the victim as a quiet young man who recently started working at a local auto shop. “He was trying to get his life together,” said childhood friend Marcus Reynolds. “This makes no sense.”
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact homicide detectives at (816) 234-5043 or submit anonymous tips through the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-TIPS. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case.
As the investigation continues, Toombs’ family prepares to bury another young life cut short by gun violence. Community activists plan to hold a peace walk through the apartment complex this weekend to call for an end to the bloodshed.
