On a Sunday afternoon, March 11, 2018, the life of 20-year-old KC Alexander J. Gillespie, a White male from Edwardsville, Kansas, was tragically cut short. First responders were called to the Forest Glen Estates Apartments in Kansas City, Kansas, for what initially appeared to be a single-vehicle accident. A Chevrolet Suburban had crashed into a tree around 1:30 p.m. inside the complex, near 64th Terrace and Tauromee Avenue.
However, upon their arrival, officers made a grim discovery; the driver, identified as Gillespie, had been fatally shot. The investigation into a car crash quickly turned into a homicide investigation.
Police believed the shooting was not a random act. It appeared that Gillespie was shot near Elizabeth Avenue and Sandusky Avenue within the same apartment complex and then attempted to flee in his vehicle before crashing. The question of why Gillespie was in that particular area remained a mystery to his family, including his grandmother and his best friend, who were unaware of his reasons for being there that day. In the wake of his death, his loved ones were left grappling with the senseless violence that took him from them.
For years, the case remained under investigation, leaving Gillespie's family searching for answers. He was remembered as a loving father to his young daughter, Kali Marie Lynn Gillespie, and a devoted partner to his love, Tamara Roberts. He had recently started a new job at Smithfield Foods and enjoyed spending his free time playing video games and working on cars. A joint memorial service was held for him and his grandfather, who passed away the day after Gillespie's death. Finally, in September 2025, a break in the case brought a glimmer of hope for justice. Lavont Ahzai Carter, 24, was charged with first-degree murder for his alleged role in the shooting death of KC Gillespie.
