Northeast News

BREAKING- On Monday, Sept. 8, just before 6:00 AM, Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) officers were dispatched to the 3200 block of Independence Avenue on a ‘medical nature unknown’ call for service, according to a release from the KCPD Media Unit this morning.

As officers arrived they located an adult male victim in a grassy area near the Perky Brothers storage building. The victim had no signs of life and was pronounced deceased at the scene.  Crime scene personnel and detectives responded to the scene to begin a death investigation. During the preliminary stages of the investigation, the cause of death could not be determined.

On Wednesday, Sept. 10, the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office notified detectives the victim had wounds consistent with being struck by gunfire. Homicide Unit detectives have taken over this investigation. Investigators continue to canvass the area for potential witnesses and any surveillance footage.

The decedent has been identified as Derek Harrison, B/M, 2/6/1975.

If anyone has any information 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.

KCPD stated they are 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 works with Partners for Peace in all its homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents.