On a spring afternoon in Kansas City, Kansas, the life of Marlon A. Gatlin, a 42-year-old Black/African American man, was tragically cut short. On April 9, 2021, at approximately 2:30 p.m., police responded to a call of a shooting near South 22nd Street and Birch Drive. Inside a residence, officers discovered Gatlin, who had sustained a fatal gunshot wound.
The events leading to the shooting reportedly stemmed from an argument that took place inside the home.
The situation escalated, resulting in the deadly gunfire that ended Gatlin's life. In the immediate aftermath, the shooter fled the scene on foot, prompting a swift response from law enforcement. The nearby Argentine Middle School was placed on a temporary lockdown as a precautionary measure while police searched for the individual.
Thanks to detailed descriptions provided by witnesses, police were able to locate and apprehend a male suspect a short time after the incident. The suspect was taken into custody without incident, and the scene was secured by late afternoon. While an arrest was made, the identity of the suspect has not been publicly released in the available online sources. Further details regarding the motive and the specifics of the argument that led to the fatal shooting remain part of the ongoing investigation.
