Kansas City Homicide: 36-year-old Man Killed In Convenience Store Parking Lot Shooting
In a tragic incident on Sunday evening, a 36-year-old man was fatally shot in the parking lot of a convenience store in Kansas City's Palestine East neighborhood. The Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) confirmed that the victim, identified as DeAnthony Guthrie, was found suffering from gunshot wounds at the corner of East 35th Street and Cleveland Avenue. Emergency responders pronounced Guthrie dead at the scene.
Police received a call around 5:30 p.m. regarding a shooting in the area. When officers arrived, they found Guthrie in the parking lot of the convenience store, a well-known spot in the predominantly residential neighborhood. According to Sgt. Phil DiMartino, the spokesman for the KCPD, homicide detectives and crime scene investigators immediately began interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence. No suspect information has been released at this time, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
This incident marks Kansas City's 124th homicide of 2024, a grim statistic as the city continues to grapple with gun violence. Though lower than last year’s numbers at this time—150 homicides had been recorded by mid-October 2023—2024 is still shaping up to be another violent year for the city. Kansas City saw a total of 185 homicides in 2023, setting a record for the highest number of killings in a single year.
While Kansas City has long struggled with violent crime, this year's slight decrease in homicides offers little comfort to families like Guthrie’s, who now face the painful aftermath of yet another life lost to gun violence. Local leaders and community activists have been vocal about the urgent need to address the underlying causes of violent crime in the city, including poverty, lack of economic opportunities, and easy access to firearms. Yet despite ongoing efforts from law enforcement, social organizations, and community groups, Kansas City continues to see regular violent incidents, many of which end in tragedy.
The intersection of East 35th Street and Cleveland Avenue, where Guthrie was killed, is a familiar part of the Palestine East neighborhood. The area is a mix of residential homes, small businesses, and convenience stores, but like many parts of Kansas City, it has seen its share of crime. According to residents, the convenience store parking lot where Guthrie was found has previously been a site for disturbances and illegal activity. However, no immediate motive for Sunday’s shooting has been released by police, and it remains unclear whether the victim was targeted or if the shooting was random.
As the investigation continues, police are asking for the public’s help. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the killing to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8744), where anonymous tips can be submitted. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest. Additionally, witnesses can contact the KCPD homicide unit directly at 816-234-5043.
Kansas City’s gun violence epidemic mirrors that of other large U.S. cities, where homicides and non-fatal shootings have surged over the last few years. A variety of factors have contributed to the rise, including economic hardship exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, social unrest, and the easy availability of guns. For Kansas City, finding a way to reverse the trend of rising homicides has become a top priority for city officials, law enforcement, and community organizations alike. While recent crime reduction efforts—such as increased patrols in high-crime areas and more community engagement programs—have been implemented, the results remain mixed.
For Guthrie’s family and loved ones, though, the focus now is on seeking justice and coming to terms with their loss. The impact of this homicide, like so many others in Kansas City, will reverberate throughout the community, leaving behind a void that cannot be filled.
As investigators continue to piece together the events leading up to Guthrie’s death, the community is left asking the same painful questions: Why did this happen? How can we stop the violence? And who will be next if something doesn’t change?
This latest shooting underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address the root causes of violence, including better mental health services, gun control measures, and economic investment in underserved neighborhoods. However, as Kansas City records its 124th homicide of the year, the road to a safer community still feels distant.
