KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Community in Mourning After Deadly East Side Shooting Claims the Life of Monique K. Smith

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Community in Mourning After Deadly East Side Shooting Claims the Life of Monique K. Smith

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A wave of grief has swept across Kansas City following a violent and tragic shooting that erupted in the early hours of Saturday morning on the city’s east side. Authorities have now identified the woman fatally shot during the incident as 34-year-old Monique K. Smith, a local resident remembered for her warmth, strength, and deep love for her community and family. The Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) confirmed her identity Sunday afternoon as detectives continue to investigate what they described as a chaotic and targeted act of gun violence.

According to police, officers were dispatched to the area near East 35th Street and Jackson Avenue shortly after 2:00 a.m. Saturday following multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire. Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered a scene of devastation: multiple gunshot victims and bystanders in distress. Monique Smith was pronounced dead at the scene from what officials said were critical injuries sustained during the shooting. Several others were rushed to nearby hospitals with varying degrees of injury, at least two of whom remain in critical condition.

While the exact circumstances that led up to the deadly shooting are still under investigation, preliminary information suggests that the violence may have stemmed from an escalating dispute at a gathering that turned deadly. Witnesses have told police that an altercation occurred shortly before shots rang out, sending partygoers scattering for cover. At least one suspect reportedly fled the scene in a vehicle, and investigators are now reviewing surveillance footage and gathering evidence in hopes of identifying all individuals involved.

Monique K. Smith, a mother and longtime Kansas City resident, is being remembered by loved ones as a beacon of love and resilience. “She was the heart of our family,” one relative said through tears. “Monique was the kind of person who would do anything for the people she cared about. To lose her like this—so suddenly and violently—is something none of us can truly process right now.”

Friends described Monique as someone who could light up a room with her laugh and was always quick to lend a helping hand. She worked in the healthcare field and was known for her compassion and work ethic. “She cared about people in a way that was rare,” said one former coworker. “Her patients adored her, and so did her colleagues. The city has lost a real treasure.”

Kansas City continues to grapple with rising gun violence in several of its neighborhoods, and this latest tragedy only deepens concerns within the community. Local leaders and anti-violence advocates are once again calling for urgent action and comprehensive reform. “We cannot keep waking up to this kind of news,” said a spokesperson for Mothers in Charge KC, a group that supports families affected by violent crime. “Monique’s death is another painful reminder that we must do more to protect our communities and prevent senseless loss.”

The KCPD is urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Detectives are particularly interested in speaking with individuals who may have been present during the gathering or who may have video footage of the moments leading up to and following the gunfire.

As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of a beloved daughter, mother, and friend. A vigil in Monique’s memory is being organized by her family and is expected to be held later this week near the site of the tragedy. Candles, flowers, and handwritten messages have already begun to appear there, a makeshift memorial to a life cut far too short.

For now, Kansas City is left searching for justice—and healing—in the wake of yet another life lost to the devastating toll of gun violence.