On a late Saturday evening in June, the life of 18-year-old Dillion Boykin was cut short by gun violence in Kansas City, Missouri. The incident, which also resulted in the death of 16-year-old Brandon Henderson, took place on June 27, 2026, in the parking lot of an apartment complex on the 9200 block of Old Santa Fe Road. Responding to a call about a shooting at approximately 10:30 p.m., police discovered Boykin unresponsive and suffering from gunshot wounds.
He was quickly transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Henderson was taken to a hospital by a private vehicle but also succumbed to his injuries.
The shooting that claimed the lives of Boykin and Henderson was the second double homicide to occur on the same block within a 16-day span. This string of violence has left the community shaken and residents of the apartment complex, known as The Depot on Old Santa Fe, fearful for their safety. Neighbors reported hearing a "spray of bullets" on the night of the incident, suggesting the use of a machine gun or a firearm with a switch device. The back-to-back tragedies, which have taken the lives of four teenagers in total, have put a spotlight on the issue of gun violence in the area.
As of now, the Kansas City Police Department's homicide detectives are actively investigating the double homicide. There has been no preliminary indication of what may have led to the shooting, and no suspects have been publicly identified or taken into custody. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward and have offered a substantial reward for tips that lead to an arrest. The case remains ongoing as law enforcement works to piece together the events of that fatal night and bring those responsible to justice. The deaths of Dillion Boykin and Brandon Henderson marked the 71st and 72nd homicides in Kansas City for the year 2026. A celebration of life service for Dillion Boykin was held on July 8, 2026.
