In the early hours of a Sunday morning in Kansas City, Missouri, the life of 22-year-old Leovardo Moreno Jr. was tragically cut short. On August 25, 2019, Moreno and his 28-year-old cousin, Austin Quijas, were walking near the Power & Light District when they were targeted in a drive-by shooting. The two had reportedly been out for a drink and were likely heading back to their vehicle when the incident occurred.
Witnesses described a vehicle pulling up alongside the group of people
Moreno and Quijas were with, and someone inside opening fire. The shooting, which happened around 2:15 a.m. in the 1200 block of Walnut Street, did not appear to be a random act of violence, according to police investigators. Moreno was pronounced dead at the scene, while his cousin was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The brazen gunfire also resulted in shattered windows at a nearby building.
In the wake of the shooting, the families of the two men were left devastated and searching for answers. They remembered Moreno as a beloved son and friend who was cherished by the community. Desperate for justice, family members pleaded with any potential witnesses to come forward with information that could lead to the capture of those responsible. Authorities announced a substantial reward for any tips that would result in an arrest.
Despite the public appeals for information and the ongoing police investigation, there have been no reports of any arrests made in connection with the murders of Leovardo Moreno and Austin Quijas. The identities of any suspects or the motive behind the fatal shooting remain publicly unknown. The case stands as a painful and unresolved tragedy for their families and the Kansas City community.
