On the afternoon of March 11, 2019, a grim discovery unfolded in the 3500 block of Norton Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, after police were dispatched to a residence to conduct a welfare check. Upon entering the home around 2:20 p.m., officers found the lifeless bodies of two men who had sustained fatal gunshot wounds. One of the victims was identified as 32-year-old Michael Lee Scott, a Black male, while the other was identified as 21-year-old Ja'Sean C. Rice.
The quiet residential street was quickly cordoned off as homicide detectives began their investigation into the double killing, which marked a violent disruption to the neighborhood.
Michael Lee Scott, who had recently celebrated his birthday in early February, was described by his grieving family as a dedicated father who worked at a Georgia-Pacific warehouse. He left behind four children, ranging in age from an infant to a teenager, and was remembered for spending his final birthday enjoying time with his loved ones. His sister, Joetta Myers, later recalled that he had been in good spirits during their last interaction, making the sudden and violent nature of his death all the more shocking for those who knew him.
Despite the efforts of law enforcement and pleas from the family for information, the investigation into the double homicide faced significant challenges. In the days following the discovery, community members and local organizations, such as the AdHoc Group Against Crime, held a vigil near the scene to honor the victims and encourage witnesses to come forward. At the time of the initial reports and subsequent follow-ups, police had not announced any arrests or identified any specific suspects in connection with the shooting deaths of Scott and Rice, leaving the case as an open investigation seeking justice for the bereaved families.
