Authorities in Kansas City, Missouri, are investigating the tragic death of 50-year-old Dennis Sharkey, a sports reporter for The Platte County Citizen. Sharkey was found fatally shot inside his car on Friday evening, prompting a search for the individual responsible for his death.
At approximately 7 p.m. on Friday, police responded to a call near the intersection of 70th Street and Prairie View Road, where they discovered Sharkey’s vehicle near the barrier fence. The suspect had fled the scene, leaving authorities with few leads. Platte County Sheriff’s Captain Jeffrey Shanks provided details about the incident, explaining that two vehicles had stopped on the interstate, possibly due to a conflict. It is believed the suspect exited their vehicle and fired a single shot into Sharkey’s car while he was attempting to drive away.
Shanks confirmed that authorities currently have no suspect information or vehicle description but are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the person responsible. They are particularly seeking any eyewitness accounts or video footage from the area that could provide vital information. Local businesses have been cooperative, providing camera footage that captured two vehicles and three individuals who may have attempted to assist Sharkey, although this has yet to yield a breakthrough in the case.
Sharkey’s colleagues at The Platte County Citizen expressed their sorrow over his untimely death, offering condolences to his family. The newspaper has also set up a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses and support Sharkey’s grieving mother, who has lost her primary source of support. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward, even anonymously.
This tragic incident has left the community in shock, and law enforcement is focused on finding answers and bringing the person responsible to justice.
