On September 13, 2016, 15-year-old Ellijah Lejuan Harris, a male resident of Kansas City, Missouri, was involved in a fatal altercation that led to his untimely death. The incident occurred in the 9300 block of Bales Avenue, a residential area in the city. Officers from the Kansas City Police Department were dispatched to the scene following reports of a shooting at an apartment complex.
Upon arrival, law enforcement officials located the teenager in the parking lot of the complex,
suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Emergency responders attended to him, but he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Harris was a sophomore at Central High School at the time of his death and was known by his family and friends for his love of basketball and his protective nature.
The investigation revealed that the shooting involved a private security guard who was on duty at the apartment complex. According to statements provided to the police, the security guard reported that he was approached by Harris in the parking lot. The guard alleged that the teen produced a firearm and pointed it at him. Fearing for his life, the security guard drew his own weapon and fired, striking Harris.
Following the shooting, the case was reviewed by local authorities to determine if criminal charges were warranted. The shooter cooperated with investigators and claimed the act was in self-defense due to the immediate threat posed by the firearm allegedly wielded by Harris. Public records and reports from the time do not indicate that the security guard was arrested or charged in connection with the death, suggesting the incident may have been classified as a justifiable homicide under the circumstances described.
