KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A shooting death Monday afternoon in Kansas City, Missouri, has now tied the city's record for the highest number of homicides in a calendar year.
KCPD responded shortly after noon to the 4400 block of Tracy Avenue on a reported shooting, where a male victim was located.
The man, who was identified Tuesday as 44-year-old Cristobal Gutierrez-Castillas, was transported to an area hospital, where he later died.
This marks the 153rd homicide of 2020.
The last time Kansas City had as many homicides was 1993. At the time, gangs were at war and there was a drug epidemic.
"This ought to be much concern to the folks in Johnson County, as it is in Jackson County or Clay County as it in Jackson county," Alvin Brooks, a community leader, told a 41 Action News reporter in December 1993.
KCPD data show that arguments are the top known reason for this year's homicides.
"The conflict resolution of using a gun or violence to settle conflicts is — there’s got to be a better way," Cpt. Dave Jackson, a KCPD spokesperson, said.
Elected leaders said the surge violence is a symptom of a much larger problem.
"If we’re not working on infrastructure, we're not working on our social programs, then we're not going to reduce crime," said Brandon Ellington, KCMO Third District-At-Large Councilmember.
KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas' latest crime-fighting plan, The Reform Project, seeks to address those issues, but is in the early stages.
Jackson said the police department will put its "full effort into investigating each of these homicides."
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For jurisdictions that utilize the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline, anonymous tips can be made by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477), submitting the tip online or through the free mobile app at P3Tips.com.
Annual homicide details and data for the Kansas City area are available through the 41 Action News Homicide Tracker, which was launched in 2015. Read the 41 Action News Mug Shot Policy.
