Murdered teenager's family calls for community's help

KANSAS CITY - The family of 16-year-old Shalonda Jackson want people to come forward with information on the teenager's murder. 

Jackson was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon while walking to a convenience store near 51st Street and Walrond Avenue.

Jackson's oldest sister Chira Smith says Jackson was living with their grandmother less than a mile from the store. 

Smith says Jackson woke up in the middle of night with back pain.  Smith said her sister was in so much pain that the Central High School freshman stayed home from school.

Smith said she was walking to the store to get some Tylenol, but on the way there she was shot.

"The [store's] clerk said he heard one gunshot," Kansas City Police Officer Darin Snapp said.  "Then the door opened, and she came in and collapsed inside the store."

Smith says Jackson was a loving young woman who enjoyed being around family.

"My mom's birthday was two weeks ago and everybody was there," Smith said.  "My mother, my sisters, my brothers, my cousins, my family, everybody was there.  She was there, and it just hurts me to not be able to see her at any more family events."

Smith says her family wants justice.  She encourages people to come forward with information, so she and her family can find peace.

Jackson's family is a prayer vigil Thursday night where Jackson was killed.  Dozens attended the event including several police officers, detectives and Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Friends, family members of law enforcement held hands and prayed for peace.