In the early morning hours of August 5, 2024, Dyamund Shields Jr., a 31-year-old male, was serving customers from his popular food truck, Chicken Macaroni & Cheese, at a large gathering near 70th Street and Prospect Avenue in Kansas City. Known for his generosity and as a beloved figure in the community, Shields was continuing the legacy of a business he and his father had started in 2011.
After his father's passing in 2017, he had transitioned their brick-and-mortar restaurant into a food truck, becoming a fixture at local events and fundraisers.
Tragically, a dispute broke out among several people at the gathering, escalating into a chaotic exchange of gunfire. Shields, caught in the crossfire, was struck by a bullet. When police, who were patrolling nearby and heard the shots, arrived at the scene, they found Shields unresponsive on the ground. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The violence of that morning also left five other adults wounded, though they were all reported to be in stable condition.
The investigation into the shooting led authorities to identify a suspect, 28-year-old Derrion S. Turner. Detectives utilized video surveillance from nearby businesses and GPS data from an ankle monitor Turner was wearing due to a previous federal case. According to court documents, the surveillance footage allegedly showed Turner and his group being stared at by a man from another group. In response, Turner is said to have pulled out a gun and begun shooting, initiating the deadly shootout. Despite denying any involvement or possession of a firearm, Turner was arrested and charged.
Derrion S. Turner faces multiple charges, including accessory to second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, and two counts of armed criminal action. Turner has previous convictions for firearm-related offenses. The community mourned the loss of Shields, a father of three, who was remembered for his selflessness and his dedication to both his family and his community through his passion for cooking.
