On the early morning of April 19, 2021, the life of Marquis Lavance Hooker, a 20-year-old Black male from Kansas City, Missouri, was tragically cut short. The incident unfolded just before 1:00 a.m. when disturbances erupted in the 6700 block of The Paseo. Police officers were initially dispatched to the intersection of 67th Street and The Paseo following reports of gunfire.
However, while law enforcement was en route to the scene to investigate the shooting call, they received critical information that a private vehicle had just arrived at a local hospital carrying three gunshot victims.
Upon arrival at the medical facility, officers discovered that Marquis had succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. The violence that claimed his life also left two other individuals wounded; one of the surviving victims was treated for life-threatening injuries, while the third suffered non-life-threatening wounds and was expected to recover. Homicide detectives and crime scene investigators subsequently canvassed the area where the shooting occurred, searching for witnesses and processing evidence to piece together the events that led to the triple shooting.
Marquis was remembered as a young man with a deep passion for music, often using it as an outlet to express his life experiences and emotions. He was a dedicated father to his son, Messiah Lavance Hooker, and was engaged to be married to his fiancée, Kennyae Williams. Known for his outgoing and loving personality, he had graduated from the Kansas City School District and was baptized at the Rescue Missionary Baptist Church of Jesus Christ. His death marked a painful loss for his large family, including his father, siblings, and extended relatives who were left to mourn his untimely passing.
Despite the efforts of the Kansas City Police Department, which offered a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest, the case has faced significant challenges. As of late 2025, reports indicated that the investigation remained open with no suspects publicly named or taken into custody. Authorities have continued to urge anyone with information regarding the homicide to come forward, but no charges have been filed, leaving the case unresolved years after the fatal night.
