In the afternoon of October 3, 2016, a burst of four or five gunshots shattered the quiet of the Royal Ridge Apartments in Kansas City, Kansas. When the sound faded, 25-year-old Markie T. Murray, a Black/African American male, emerged from one of the apartments, grievously wounded. He had been shot in the chest or stomach and collapsed on the ground.
Emergency services arrived at the scene near 73rd and State Avenue around 2:40 p.m., but it was too late to save him.
The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department quickly began a homicide investigation. Detectives found that many neighbors had heard the gunfire and witnessed parts of the tragic event. The community's willingness to come forward and share what they saw and heard was noted as being particularly helpful to the early stages of the investigation. Despite the numerous witness accounts, authorities did not immediately make any arrests in connection with the shooting.
In the days that followed, no specific descriptions or names of any suspects were released to the public. The police department urged anyone with information to contact the TIPS hotline to help them piece together the final moments of Markie Murray's life and bring his killer to justice. His death was recorded as the 32nd homicide in the city for that year.
Markie, a 2009 graduate of Schlagle High School, was remembered as a loving son and a dedicated father to his young son. He was known as a family man who enjoyed spending time with his loved ones. The investigation into his unsolved murder remains a painful memory for his family and the community.
