On the evening of September 8, 2017, John DeAngelo Calata, a 31-year-old Black/African American man, was fatally shot in Kansas City, Kansas. The incident occurred around 6:40 p.m. in the 4100 block of Adams Street, near the University of Kansas Medical Center. Calata was a passenger in a car with his brother at the wheel when gunfire erupted. In a second car, his other brother, Jeremy Calata, witnessed two gunmen emerge from a porch and open fire on the vehicles.
The first shot struck
John Calata in the head, causing him to fall into his brother's lap. The driver, though wounded by shrapnel, managed to drive away from the scene to 41st and Booth Street, where they were able to contact the police. A friend in the second car with Jeremy Calata was also hit by multiple bullets in his legs and arm but survived. In total, three individuals were shot. All three victims were transported to a local hospital, where John Calata was pronounced dead.
The family believes the shooting was a targeted attack, with the assailants intending to harm all three brothers. The motive for the shooting remains unclear to the family. At the time of his death, John Calata was recently engaged and was a father to two young sons. He was described by his family as a loyal and caring person who was the rock of their foundation.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Kansas City, Kansas police investigated the scene and located shell casings at a nearby residence. While authorities have taken statements from "persons of interest" in the case, no arrests have been publicly announced. The investigation into the homicide remains ongoing, and police have asked anyone with information to contact the TIPS Hotline.
