City and state officials make a yearly commitment to bring about genuine change in tackling the issue of gun violence in Kansas City.
Over the past ten years, the number of homicides has been on the rise. Currently, Kansas City, Missouri, is on track to equal the record for the highest number of homicides in the city’s history, which was set in 2020. According to the daily homicide analysis report, the situation in the city is alarming and requires immediate attention.
Many people tend to concentrate solely on the statistics provided by the KCMO Police Department, however, advocates within the Black community strongly feel that the victims have been neglected for far too long. In particular, they are concerned about the disproportionate number of Black women who are being killed, which has been largely overlooked.
It falls upon advocates and families to take on the responsibility of educating the public and bringing attention to the issue. They must use their voices to amplify the message and spread awareness far and wide.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, their concerns regarding the safety of Black women and girls are supported by data. The most current data, as of 2021, confirms that Missouri is ranked as the most perilous state for this demographic, only surpassed by Washington, D.C.
Missouri had the unfortunate distinction of having the second-highest homicide rate for Black women and girls in the year 2020.
According to recent statistics, in 2019, Missouri was ranked as the number one state.
More than a statistic
The Kansas City metro has been plagued by violence, leaving behind a trail of destruction that is immeasurable. It’s heartbreaking to see families being torn apart year after year due to this ongoing issue.
Crystal Graves, a grieving mother who lost her daughter, expressed that her life will never be the same again.
Since the tragic murder of her daughter, Graves has been kind enough to allow us to stay in touch and document her journey through the healing process.
Despite the immense pain and grief she feels, Graves clings to the only tangible reminders of her beloved Oriana – precious photographs and cherished memories. These cherished mementos serve as a way for her to hold on to her daughter and feel close to her even though she is no longer physically present.
Graves beamed with pride as he spoke of his precious little one, Oriana Raisa N’Chelle Ashanti Starr, his five-pound bundle of joy.
The name of Oriana Starr was as distinctive as her character, being the youngest of the eight siblings.
Graves spoke passionately about Oriana, explaining the meaning behind her name. “She had to come out with a bang,” he said. “Oriana, which means ‘golden one,’ was a name that she truly embodied and loved.”
At the young age of 22, Oriana lived her life to the fullest and loved without reservation. However, her bright light was tragically extinguished in December of 2020, as reported by KSHB News.
After dating for less than a year, Oriana was still in a relationship with her boyfriend, Brandon McDaniel.
Graves shared that the woman was preparing to relocate and find a new home for herself, independently from the man who was no longer going to be involved in her plans.
After leaving her behind, she remained undiscovered for an entire day.
Graves shared how his life was forever altered when the police arrived at his doorstep on a Thursday night. He then described the heartbreaking moment of realizing that she had passed away on the 16th, a day he had seen her.
Three weeks after the shooting incident, McDaniel was finally arrested in Arkansas. He tried to alter his appearance and lay low, but it was all in vain as the authorities were able to track him down. According to reports, McDaniel is now facing murder charges for fatally shooting his girlfriend during their argument. The arrest could provide some semblance of justice for the victim and her family.
In court, McDaniel argued that he acted in self-defense when he shot Oriana amidst their altercation. However, the jury did not accept his plea.
In 2022, McDaniel received a 30-year prison sentence for the murder of Oriana, as well as armed criminal action. However, McDaniel has since filed an appeal, which is currently ongoing. Recently, a judge had sentenced McDaniel for his criminal actions, but the appeal process is still ongoing.
McDaniel wasn’t authorized to carry a gun when he fatally shot Oriana. He was on parole at the time of the incident and had a previous criminal record. In 2017, he was convicted of robbing and assaulting a KCATA bus driver with a firearm.
Graves reflected on the signs and as a mother, she couldn’t help but think of all the things she could have done differently. “The ‘shoulda, coulda, wouldas’ are always present,” she expressed.
Upon reflection, Graves noted that she witnessed McDaniel’s behavior become increasingly controlling in the month leading up to Oriana’s passing, as reported by news outlet KSHB.
Graves recounted how every time he visited his friend’s apartment, her boyfriend would insist on being there. However, things began to change when she confided in him that her boyfriend’s behavior was making her uncomfortable. She revealed to Graves that her boyfriend was always trying to follow her and that he made her sick.
Fatal domestic violence
Oriana’s story is a heart-wrenching reminder that domestic violence is not just a statistic. She is one of the many victims who represent the harsh reality of fatal domestic violence in Missouri. Her tragic experience sheds light on the urgent need for more awareness and action to prevent such atrocities from happening to anyone else.
The KSHB 41 I-Team obtained data from the Missouri State Highway Patrol which shows an increase in domestic violence murders since 2017.
Upon reviewing the data, we discovered that male victims are at a higher risk of being killed by their own family members or parents, whereas female victims are more likely to be killed by a partner or ex-partner. Shockingly, the majority of women who are killed by their partner or ex-partner are shot with a gun.
Graves expressed her frustrations, stating that ever since her baby was killed, she has noticed an alarming increase in the number of women being murdered. She emphasized that this trend of senseless killings needs to stop, as she is tired of constantly hearing about them.
The agony of losing a loved one to a senseless act of violence is all too familiar to the family of Myana Henderson. Myana was tragically taken from them in August 2022, leaving an immense void in their lives. It’s a pain that no family should ever have to endure, and one that they will carry with them forever. The recent news of charges being announced against her alleged killer may bring some sense of relief, but it will never fully heal the wounds of their loss.
During the vigil held for her daughter, Myana’s mother, Dawn Kopecky, expressed her heartfelt sentiments by saying, “She was a beautiful, beautiful soul, and I just pray that my baby rests in peace and we get justice for her.” Her words reflected the immense pain and sorrow that the family is going through due to the loss of their loved one.
At just 21 years old, Myana’s life was cut short when she was ambushed and fatally shot in a gas station parking lot on Independence Avenue. It is a tragic reminder of the senseless violence that can occur in our communities and the devastating impact it can have on individuals and their loved ones.
Fisher was on parole for a prior first-degree robbery conviction when the shooting took place.
Kopecky is still struggling to comprehend why taking the life of her own daughter was even considered as a possible solution. The idea of shooting and killing her child remains unfathomable to her.
Kopecky asked, “What was it specifically that led you to do this to her? Did she do something to you that warranted this?”
At this moment, Fisher is incarcerated and waiting for his trial on murder charges. The trial is scheduled to commence in the early months of 2024.
The Troubling Truth
After analyzing the domestic violence statistics provided by MSHP and the data we collected from CDC, it is evident that Black women in Missouri are facing a distressing situation. The numbers reveal a bleak reality that cannot be ignored.
According to the data, Black women are facing the most danger in the Midwest and states that are located alongside it.
According to the CDC, the likelihood of a Black woman being killed in Missouri is five times higher than in New York. This disparity is concerning and sheds light on the systemic issues that still exist in certain parts of the United States. It is important to address and acknowledge these discrepancies in order to work towards a more just and equitable society for all.
According to recent statistics, Missouri has the second-highest homicide rate for Black women in the United States, standing at 19.87 per 100,000 individuals. Shockingly, this rate is only surpassed by Washington, D.C., which records a rate of 20.45. In stark contrast, the homicide rate for white women in Missouri is significantly lower at 2.61. These figures highlight the alarming disparity between the rates of violence experienced by Black and white women in the state.
During our conversation, we had the pleasure of speaking with Rosa Page, the brilliant mind behind Black Femicide US, an organization that monitors and documents the murders of Black women and girls throughout the United States.
Page stated that through their research, they have observed a continuous rise taking place.
According to the available data, it is reported that a Black woman is being killed every 5 1/2 hours in the United States. Shockingly, the number of Black women and girls who have lost their lives in 2022 is close to 1,000. This is an alarming statistic that highlights the urgent need for action to address the issues that disproportionately affect Black women and girls in our society.
According to the latest available data from the CDC, there has been an alarming increase in the number of Black women killed in the United States in 2021, with a total of 2,000 reported deaths. This is a significant rise from the 1,300 deaths reported in 2019, highlighting the urgent need for greater attention and action to be taken to address this issue.
Page emphasized the significance of addressing the issue of racial discrimination, not just amongst the Black community, but also among lawmakers and politicians. She expressed her disappointment in the lack of action towards this matter and stressed the need to take action in combating it.
Missouri’s Potential for Progress: What Can Be Done?
In 2021, Minnesota was the first state to start a task group to look into the deaths and disappearances of Black women. The unit looked at how racism, poor health outcomes, and a lack of economic prospects all contribute to violence on a larger scale.
On the advice of the task force, Minnesota passed a rule that set up a special office for missing and murdered Black women. The office will use its resources to review cases of suspicious deaths, look into ongoing cases, and help families.
Advocates are trying to get Missouri to do what Minnesota did.
“I’d like to see our elected officials come together,” said Michele L. Watley, who started Shirley’s Kitchen Cabinet. “They need to make it clear that they are going to try to solve this problem.”
Shirley’s Kitchen Cabinet is a non-profit group that works to make sure Black women’s views are heard by advocating for them and teaching them about their rights. Over the last year, the group has held neighborhood meetings to talk about Black women who have gone missing or been killed in Kansas City.
“What is going on in our city that so many Black women, Black girls, and transgender people are getting killed?” Watley told him.
We told Watley what we learned from our data.
Watley said, “This data more than justifies setting priorities and using city and taxpayer money to deal with what is, in essence, a crisis.”
Watley said that her group is happy to work with any elected official who is ready to make this issue a priority.
Allies in KC
Ryana Parks, who is KCMO’s mayor-elect,Shaw told us that it’s her job to point out the facts.
“It’s up to me and my coworkers to try to figure out what to do about that,” she said.
Most of the people killed in the city are Black men, but Parks-Shaw said that Black women don’t get the attention they deserve.
Parks-Shaw said, “It’s time to talk about the Black women and girls who are also dying from gun violence.”
We also told Parks-Shaw what we had found. She wasn’t shocked, but she was still scared.
“It says a lot,” said Parks-Shaw. “It says a lot about how unequal things are in this city and state.”
Most of the city’s killings happen in her district, the 5th, and the third.
“When I looked at the life expectancy issue we have in Kansas City, that you can live in one zip code and live up to 20 years less than someone who lives a mile away in another zip code, that’s what inspired me to run for office in the first place,” Parks-Shaw said.
Parks-Shaw informed us that the KCPD is not run by the city council, but by a state board. She said, though, that she can still work with what she has.
She recently helped get two laws against violence passed that she helped write. One will give $30 million to groups that work to stop youth crime over the next five years. The other creates a city task group to figure out which city services are most important in areas with a lot of crime.
Parks-Shaw said, “We won’t be able to arrest our way out of crime and homicides if we want to make things better.” “We need to invest first in getting to the bottom of things.”
Parks-Shaw also mentioned the KC 360 program, which was based on the Omaha 360 program to stop crime. After a rise in serious crime in 2008, Omaha 360 was created.
From 2008 to 2018, there was 74% less gun violence in Omaha, according to Omaha 360, which was recorded by the Empowerment Network.
The KC 360 program brings together city leaders and groups to talk about how to lower violent crime in the long run. There will be people from KC Common Good, KCPD, the city government, church leaders, and anti-violence groups from the area.
Moving forward
At the moment, there are no plans for a task group in Kansas City to look into missing and murdered Black women, but Parks-Shaw said she would “definitely be interested in that.”
Crystal Graves thinks that a focused but kind approach would mean a lot to other parents who are hurting and just want justice.
“I’m going to make sure her death wasn’t in vain. Make sure someone remembers Oriana,” Graves said. “I can’t help the world, but if I can just help one person, then I could say, ‘Job well done. We did it, Ori.’”
The same things that make it more likely for Black women to be killed also make it more likely for Black women and girls to go missing in Kansas City. In a future story, the I-Team will find out more about this.
FBI spotlight on Missouri
This year, the Violence Policy Center put out a report that looked at FBI homicide statistics from 2020.
The study found that the rate of homicide for Black male victims was more than four times the rate for all male victims and that the rate of homicide for Black female victims was more than twice the rate for all female victims.
Missouri’s data stands out, so it makes sense that it has its own section in the study.
In 2020, “Missouri had the highest rate of Black homicide victims in the country for the seventh year in a row.” According to the study, Missouri has been either first or second in the country for Black homicide victims for the past 14 years.
The number of Black people killed in Missouri was more than twice as high as the national average.
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