In the early morning hours of May 5, 2020, the quiet suburb of Prairie Village, Kansas, was disturbed by the sound of gunshots, though the tragic outcome would not be discovered for several hours. Later that morning, at approximately 6:15 a.m., the body of 18-year-old Kiven Maquial, a Hispanic male, was found in the parking lot of the Highlawn Montessori School on Somerset Drive. He had sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after. Maquial, a former student at Shawnee Mission East and Shawnee Mission Northwest high schools, was working towards completing his high school diploma.
The investigation into the homicide revealed a grim narrative of a drug deal that had taken a violent turn. According to court documents, Maquial had arranged to meet with a group for a drug transaction. A witness informed police that Maquial had been staying with his family and was known to sell drugs. On the night of the shooting, Maquial had reportedly indicated he was planning a deal. Surveillance footage from the area of the shooting showed a car leaving the scene around the time the gunshots were heard by neighbors, providing a crucial lead for investigators.
The investigation led to the arrest of 35-year-old Jesse M. Monreal of Kansas City, Kansas. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder and attempted robbery in connection with Maquial's death. Monreal was taken into custody in Livingston County, Missouri, after a car chase involving a stolen truck. In addition to Monreal, three teenagers, two 17-year-old boys and a 16-year-old girl, were also charged in juvenile court with first-degree felony murder and robbery.
Court records allege that the 16-year-old girl had arranged the drug deal with the intention of robbing Maquial. When Maquial approached the vehicle, he reportedly saw a gun and attempted to flee. At that point, two of the teens allegedly exited the car and fired multiple shots, with one teen firing into the air and the other shooting at Maquial as he ran. Monreal and the teen who had set up the deal remained in the vehicle during the shooting. The firearms used in the homicide were later recovered by Overland Park police at a party and were matched to the shell casings found at the crime scene.
