In September of 2015, a tragedy unfolded inside a south Kansas City home, forever altering the lives of several families. Shannon Rollins Jr., an 18-year-old male, was found shot to death alongside 17-year-old Bianca R. Fletcher and her young son, Joseph. The grim discovery was made by Bianca's brother on the evening of September 8th in a residence in the 5900 block of East 84th Street.
Shannon was a young man with a passion for life, known for his love of dancing.
He was part of a freestyle dance crew called #FindOut and had even performed with local rapper Tech N9ne. His family described him as a wonderful and kind-hearted person who was always willing to help others. He was also a father to a one-year-old son. At the time of his death, he was working toward his GED and had recently been promoted at his job.
The investigation into the triple homicide led police to Joseph L. Nelson, who was 22 years old at the time. Nelson, an ex-boyfriend of Bianca Fletcher, was arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree murder, among other crimes. According to court documents, the violent outburst was triggered by an argument between Nelson and Fletcher, during which she threw a diaper box at him. In a fit of rage, Nelson fatally shot her.
Tragically, Shannon Rollins Jr. and the infant, Joseph, were witnesses to this horrific act. Fearing he would be identified and that the baby's cries would alert neighbors, Nelson then shot and killed them both. In an attempt to cover his tracks, he collected the spent shell casings, sold the murder weapon, and burned his clothes. Despite his efforts to conceal his involvement, witnesses came forward with information that was vital to solving the case. One witness recounted Nelson confessing, 'I killed them. I killed them.'
In January 2019, Joseph L. Nelson pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and witness tampering. He was subsequently sentenced to 33 years in prison for the brutal slayings that cut short the lives of Shannon Rollins Jr., Bianca Fletcher, and her infant son.
