KANSAS CITY — Four teens died at a relatively new Kansas City apartment complex in the month of June due to violent crime.
Just after 5:15p.m. June 11, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 9200 block of Old Santa Fe Road, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.
Upon arrival, the officers were directed to an apartment building, at the Depot, where they located a boy later identified as 17-year-old Rontez Donahue suffering from apparent gunshot trauma. Aid was rendered until EMS declared him deceased.
Two additional victims were located and appeared to be suffering from gunshot wounds. One victim, later identified as 18-year-old Dion Charles Marshall Sims-Bey suffering from life threatening injuries. The other was a boy over 16 years old with non-life threatening injuries.
Both victims were transported to area hospitals. On June 13, hospital staff notified police Sims-Bey had died, according to Gonzalez.
An adult male suspect was located on scene and was taken into custody.
Just after 10:30p.m. June 27, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 9200 block of Old Santa Fe Road, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.
Upon arrival, officers located a man later identified as 18-year-old Dillion Boykin lying in a parking lot suffering from apparent gunshot trauma and unresponsive. Officers rendered medical aid until EMS responded and transported Boykin to an area hospital. He was declared deceased at the hospital. An additional juvenile, identified as 15-year-old Brandon Henderson, arrived to an area hospital by private vehicle and was pronounced deceased by medical personnel.
No one is currently in police custody for this. incident and it being investigated as a homicide.
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"He died right here in our building."
A tenant at The Depot at Old Santa Fe apartments, who asked to remain anonymous, walks to a building and points down a shaded corridor that leads to a sidewalk covered in crimson.
"They still didn't clean it up."
The tenant is referring to a June 11 shooting that claimed the lives of 17-year-old Rontez Donahue and 18-year-old Dion Sims-Bey.
Teen killed, 2 others shot at Kansas City apartment complex; suspect arrested
Two other tenants tell KMBC they heard a barrage of automatic gunfire.
"At first we thought it was fireworks. Yeah, I'm like, that's going on for too long."
Sixteen days later, on June 27 around 10:30 p.m., Kansas City police reported two more gunshot victims were fatally wounded within the same complex: 16-year-old Brandon Henderson, Jr., and 18-year-old Dillion Boykin died from their wounds.
Kansas City police identify 18-year-old, 16-year-old killed in shooting
Tenants say they've complained multiple times about the lack of security on the 31-acre site.
"The gate is just open ... anyone can come in," a tenant said. "All these young men meet in the back ... some start beef with each other."
Security cameras were installed in certain parts of the complex for the first time last week. Kittle Property Group is the landlord for the Depot.
In an announcement made on Jan. 17, 2024, Kittle Property Group Inc., an Indiana company, stated it was "bringing a brand-new affordable housing opportunity for 252 families or individuals in the Kansas City metro-area. The Depot Apartments will provide a housing option that fits the budget of a growing workforce. Addressing the affordable housing gap is crucial in a city that lacks 64,000 affordable rental homes, according to the Mid-America Regional Council. The Depot will consist of 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom apartments, serving households of all sizes."
To develop The Depot, Kittle Property Group was awarded $24.4 million in federal tax credits to be received over a 10-year period, from the Missouri Housing Department Commission.
Tenants say they pay between $1,104 for a one-bedroom apartment and $1,698 for a four-bedroom, and since the two separate June incidents, the pool and weight room have closed, and the security gate still remains open at all hours.
One tenant told KMBC, "They don't got the pool open. They don't got nothing open. They're letting people die over here."
Donahue died three days before his 18th birthday. Family members say he had just graduated from De La Salle Education Center and was considering service with the Army.
Sims-Bey was a 20026 graduate of Whittier High School in Sedalia, Missouri, and his obituary notes "he enjoyed listening to music, fishing, gaming and spending time with his cousins."
Henderson's family says they are currently gathering pictures and remembrances to make public at a later date.
Boykin also attended De La Salle Education Center. His family says he loved to play the video game, 2K26, and basketball with friends was a frequent happening.
His cousin says Boykin had a loving spirit that would light up a room and he "never missed a cookout."
Another neighbor said, "They don't care about what comes in. They don't care about our safety. It's a lot of people, little babies over here like we have to sit here and do this and still pay the rent instead."
Kittle Property Group has not returned KMBC's request for comment on the gun violence, and property management declined to comment.
Funeral arrangements for all victims have not yet been made public.
The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation (Uvalde Foundation For Kids), a national nonprofit, announced Monday a $5,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and successful prosecution of the individual or individuals responsible for the fatal shooting deaths of Boykin and Henderson.
At this time, Kansas City police do not have any suspects in custody.
Police ask the public to call the TIPS Hotline, 816-474-TIPS, with information relevant to these crimes. There is a reward of up to $25,000.