A family cookout on a summer evening in a south Kansas City park turned tragic, ending the life of 44-year-old Angela M. Banks. On August 31, 2019, while gathered with relatives and friends at Noble Park, an argument escalated into gunfire, fatally wounding Banks and injuring another man. The lively atmosphere of the gathering, which included an impromptu rap performance, was shattered when two men interjected with 'trash talk,' leading to a heated dispute.
The scene, scattered with the
remnants of a family celebration—food, purses, and baby supplies—quickly became a crime scene marked by spent shell casings and a large pool of blood. Police, initially responding to a shots-fired call, were flagged down by a vehicle attempting to transport Banks to the hospital. She was rushed to a medical facility but was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound to her upper right side. The male victim survived his injuries.
Investigators utilized witness testimony and a Facebook Live video that had captured parts of the family gathering to identify the suspects. In the video, Banks could be seen sitting near a picnic table and rapping with her loved ones shortly before the altercation. Following the shooting, the two men fled the scene in a vehicle.
Authorities later arrested 21-year-old Larry Dodds in connection with the homicide. He was subsequently charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action, with prosecutors requesting a $250,000 bond. A juvenile suspect was also identified in the ongoing investigation. Witnesses were able to identify the shooters after police found their photos on social media.
