On March 28, 2019, police in Kansas City, Missouri, launched a homicide investigation following a fatal shooting in the 2400 block of Lister Avenue. Officers were dispatched to the residence around 2:30 a.m. after receiving reports of gunfire in the area. Upon arrival, emergency responders discovered 30-year-old Joseph D. Corum inside the home suffering from gunshot wounds.
Despite the efforts of first responders, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead a short time later.
Witnesses at the scene provided investigators with details regarding the moments leading up to the violence. According to accounts given to law enforcement, Corum had been involved in a verbal altercation with another individual in the front yard of the property just prior to the shooting. The dispute escalated, resulting in the lethal gunfire that claimed his life. At the time of the incident, his death marked the 32nd homicide in Kansas City for that year.
In the days following the murder, detectives released specific information regarding a vehicle of interest in hopes of generating leads from the public. Authorities were searching for a Chrysler Town and Country van that was seen in the vicinity. The vehicle was described as having a loud exhaust system and was notable for lacking license plates. Police urged anyone with information about the van or the identity of the person involved in the argument to contact the TIPS Hotline, though no immediate arrests were announced in the initial aftermath of the investigation.
