KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department said investigators do not have many leads regarding the fatal drive-by shooting that killed an 8-year-old boy.
Officers and community activists met at the boy's bullet-riddled home to searching for potential witnesses Tuesday.
It was s a time-consuming process, but with every door-knock, Kassandra Mason with the Justice and Dignity Center said she hopes they are taking steps toward putting a killer behind bars.
She is one of the dozens of community members who fanned out on the same streets Brian Bartlett once played on, looking for tips. The young boy was supposed to begin the fourth-grade at Center Elementary School on Wednesday.
"Well if you hear anything or know anything, an 8-year-old baby was killed, can you please contact us or call the police department know something--thank you," Mason told a man walking his dog.
While some homeowners in the area of 83rd Terrace and Tracy Avenue didn't answer their door, Mason still believes it's an effective way to help police find the shooter.
"You know, if my child was deceased if somebody killed my child I would want to do who did it and I would want somebody that care that had a passion that was actually going to look for the person that killed my child," Mason told 41 Action News.
Tuesday's efforts are the culmination of turning anger into action.
"Let's make this ground zero so that another baby does not lose their life. Let's get this person off the streets now," Bishop Tony Caldwell, another member of the Justice and Dignity Center said.
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker assured individuals there are options for those who come forward with tips.
"If you don't feel safe, we want you to tell us that so we can provide you with a layer of protection and safety so you can come tell us what you know," Baker said.
Mason added if the $25,000 reward doesn't speak to potential witnesses, she implores them speak up because of the moral obligation.
"We don't get paid to do this, but if it's going to bring somebody to justice that did something to a child or an older person or a person period out here, we want them caught," Mason said.
Anyone with information is encouraged to reach out to the the KC Crimestoppers Hotline.
