After prosecutors filed charges in the triple homicide in south Kansas City, one victim’s mom said, “The healing process can start.”
Shannon Rollins’ mother said her son worked relentlessly to achieve his dreams to become a dancer. That was until he was slain along with 17-year-old Bianca Fletcher and her 1-year-old son.
“By being over there to protect her, his life was taken,” Rollins’ mother, Yale Washington, said.
Washington expressed not only relief when prosecutors filed charges against 22-year-old Joseph Nelson in the killings, but also grief. “It's just painful, Shannon I love you, you've done great, I'm happy, I'm proud to be your momma.”
Court documents show a witness told investigators Nelson had an argument with Fletcher and she threw a diaper at him and that Nelson said he “lost it” and shot Fletcher. Then, according to a witness, he shot Rollins and the infant.
It wasn't only an innocent child, but according to Washington, Nelson’s child. “His son would have loved him, his own son would have idolized him. And you're going to take your own child? Who does that, man?”
Nelson told investigators he was asleep most of the day and has denied any involvement in the deaths of the victims.
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Shannon Halligan can be reached at shannon.halligan@kshb.com.
