On a Sunday evening in Kansas City, Missouri, the life of 24-year-old Darryl B. Brown III was tragically cut short. On March 12, 2023, Brown was at his home in the 8300 block of Highland Avenue with his girlfriend and six children when a knock came at the door. When he went to answer it, he was met with gunfire.
The man at the door was Derek C. Jones, the 24-year-old ex-boyfriend of Brown's girlfriend. Jones forced his way into the residence and shot Brown multiple times.
The violent act unfolded in front of Brown's girlfriend, who had tried to close the door on Jones, and the children who were also in the home. After the shooting, Jones fled the scene. Police were called to the home around 8:15 p.m. and found Brown unresponsive on the floor inside the front door; he was pronounced dead at the scene.
An investigation quickly identified Jones as the suspect. He was apprehended a short time after the shooting. It was revealed that there was an active order of protection against Jones, prohibiting him from being near his ex-girlfriend. Jones was subsequently charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, child endangerment, and violating an order of protection.
In November, Derek C. Jones pleaded guilty to the charges. He was later sentenced to 22 years in prison for the murder of Darryl Brown. Known affectionately as 'Deerock' to his loved ones, Darryl Brown was a graduate of Central High School and was a father to three children. His death was the 27th homicide in Kansas City in 2023.
