KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KCTV) — A public memorial service was held at the Marcom-Harvey Funeral Home for Dyamund Shields Jr., a well-known Kansas City food truck owner who was killed in a mass shooting earlier this month. Food trucks were set up outside to pay their respects and provide food for those in attendance.
“Dyamund was a huge supporter of the entrepreneur community,” said Thomas Clark, owner of TC’s Fully Loaded Food Truck. “He always wanted to give back and gave me encouragement, advice, and we did some events together. I definitely wanted to give back in any way I could.”
Clark hopes to add a dish to her menu inspired by Shields Jr., better known as DJ.
“I’m going to put mac and cheese on the menu one day as a tribute,” Clark said. “DJ’s mac and cheese, something like that. The community has definitely come through. We’ve been really busy. I hope we can do something else in the near future, too.”
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According to Kansas City police, DJ was shot during a large gathering of people at Prospect Avenue and East 70th Street. Investigators said an argument broke out that ended in a shooting. DJ died from his injuries. Six other people were injured in the crime.
People from the area spoke to KCTV5 after the fatal shooting. They said DJ’s food truck was seen on Prospect every day and his food was deeply rooted on that street. They believe he was not the intended target.
On Thursday, people came together to support the food trucks and Shields Jr.’s family.
“Everyone knows he’s the one who gives back to the community and he’s been a huge support to the community, so it was only right to come out and show my support,” Tanika Davis said. “I hate this for Kansas City. No one should get hurt, especially innocent bystanders who are just trying to give back to the community.”
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The shooting occurred a day before Davis said he was going to test out his Chicken Mac-n-Cheese food truck.
“But I’m here now and I’m here to help as much as I can,” Davis said. “That’s what a community is all about. Sticking together in difficult times.”
Shanale Hill also expressed her support to DJ’s family and said she understands what they are going through.
“I lost my son last year in a terrible accident, so I didn’t expect to lose him either,” Hill said. “It wasn’t in the middle of the shooting, but you just never know who you’re going to lose. Sometimes people are just in the wrong place at the wrong time. My sincere condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with you.”
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Ken Williams says he met both DJ and his father when he moved to Kansas City in 2012 and after they opened their store at 53.rd and view.
“I ate there regularly and then when they moved to 7025 Prospect, I ate there too,” Williams said. “It’s a terrible tragedy. Especially for an innocent person who wasn’t involved in anything. Someone who was literally just serving the community. Sr was a legend. DJ was a legend. The food was incredible. It’s just a huge loss for Kansas City. A huge loss.”
A portion of the proceeds from Thursday’s food truck went to benefit DJ’s children.
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Kansas City Police Detectives are still investigating the mass murder.
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