71 Highway closed off at 85th Street due to road rage fatality

This morning just before 11:20 AM officers were dispatched to southbound 71 Highway and Blue River Road on a reported shooting.

Officers responded to the scene where they located a vehicle stopped on the side of the highway and an adult female asking for help. At that time, officers observed an adult male victim, unresponsive inside of the vehicle suffering from apparent gunshot trauma. Emergency crews responded to the scene and pronounce the victim deceased at that time.

Preliminary information indicates this may be a road rage incident. It is believed two unidentified males were occupying an unknown vehicle when shots were fired, striking the victim. It is not currently known where the start of the altercation began, and where exactly the shooting occurred. We do not currently have any subjects of interest, or a suspect vehicle identified.

Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel have responded to the area to begin collecting any evidence and speaking with witnesses. This incident is being investigated as a homicide and is ongoing at this time.

71 Highway is currently closed off to all southbound traffic at 85th St. Anyone needing to travel southbound on 71 highway may do so by taking the 85th St. exit and continuing southbound back onto the highway from the entrance ramp at Blue River Road. We anticipate the highway will remain closed for several hours as the investigation continues.

If anyone was in the area and heard or saw anything or 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.

We 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.