One young man is dead after being shot near 9th and Prospect Wednesday night.

Yesterday evening just before 11:30 p.m. Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) officers were dispatched to the 2500 block of E 9th Street on a reported shooting.

When officers arrived, they located an unresponsive juvenile teen male lying in a business parking lot unresponsive. The victim appeared to be suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Responding officers rendered medical aid until EMS arrived and took over life saving measures. EMS declared the victim deceased a short moment later.

The early stages of the investigation advise the sound of shots could be heard outside of a business coming from an unknown direction, at which time the victim was struck.

The victim was identified Thursday afternoon as 17-year-old Zafir A. Perkins.

Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators responded and processed the scene for evidence. Detectives spoke with any potential witnesses to discover what may have led up to the shooting occurring. 

If anyone has any information or saw anything they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS there is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

According to KCPD, the department is committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouri’s Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the State’s administering agency. 

KCPD is working with Partners for Peace in all homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents.