KANSAS CITY, Missouri – To date, in the year 2024, there have been 91 murders in Kansas City, Missouri.
One family is now part of that statistic after an argument turned deadly near East 70th Street and Prospect Avenue early Monday morning.
Kansas City, Missouri police confirmed that 31-year-old Dyamund “DJ” Shields was shot and killed.
KSHB 41 Newsroom
“He was just amazing,” said Nechelle Kidd, DJ’s mother. “He loved his kids, his siblings, this community – he loved what he did, and that was working on his food truck.”
He was there with his beloved food truck business, Chicken Mac-n-Cheese.
Provided
“I wouldn’t wish this on anyone,” Nechelle Kid. “Not on any parent.”
KSHB 41 Newsroom
The KCPD’s murder tracker shows that about one in four murders this year began with an argument.
DJ’s friends told KSHB 41 they don’t believe he was the intended target.
“I’m angry about what’s happening in our community and the people who own these guns and aren’t aware of who they’re touching or the ripple effects it’s causing,” Nechelle said.
Nechelle relies on her family, including her brother Ricky Kidd.
Ricky spent 23 years in prison for crimes he didn’t commit.
That is why violence prevention is now his life’s work, even if his nephew is the one affected by it.
“It strengthens your spirit and commitment to continue to work for a better KC,” Ricky said.
The Kidd family’s life will never be the same again.
“My son is gone,” Nechelle said. “For nothing, for nothing, for nothing.”
But they know that DJ’s legacy will never be forgotten.
“If we don’t find better ways to prevent gun violence, it could be you,” Ricky said.
Nechelle said they hope to continue their son DJ’s food truck business and are still figuring out how to make that happen. KSHB 41 checked with KCPD on Friday.
They said there was no news yet on a suspect and the investigation was still ongoing.
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