Jesse Marquez Obituary, Death Cause: 19-Year-Old Kansas City Man Fatally Shot in Weekend Homicide — Family, Community Demand Justice Amid Ongoing Investigation

On a warm summer evening in Kansas City, Kansas, a neighborhood that rarely sees violent crime was rocked by the piercing sound of gunfire. Just after 7:20 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, 2025, officers with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department (KCKPD) were dispatched to the 2700 block of South 8th Terrace, responding to a call of a shooting. What they found upon arrival was a heartbreaking scene — a young man lying on the pavement in front of a residential home, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

That young man was Jesse Marquez, 19 years old. Despite the best efforts of emergency responders who arrived within minutes, Jesse succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Now, a family is left shattered, a community is left reeling, and police are left with a mystery: who killed Jesse Marquez — and why?

A Young Life Cut Tragically Short
Jesse Marquez was known to his friends and family as gentle, funny, and fiercely loyal. He had graduated from J.C. Harmon High School just one year earlier and was preparing to enroll in a local technical college to study automotive repair. He was the middle child of three siblings, the glue between an older sister and a younger brother who adored him.

“He never looked for trouble,” said his mother, Maria Marquez. “He loved his music, loved working on cars with his uncle, and he always, always came home for dinner.”

Jesse spent most of his days working part-time at a nearby car wash and saving for his first real car — a project he’d dreamed of fixing up from the ground up. He was known in his neighborhood for helping neighbors mow their lawns and walking younger kids to the bus stop. A child of immigrants, Jesse was bilingual, respectful, and deeply connected to his Hispanic roots.

“He was humble,” said his friend and neighbor, Luis Ortega. “Never flashy. Always thinking about his family.”

The Scene: A Quiet Street Turned Crime Scene
According to police reports and witness interviews, the shooting occurred just after dusk. Several residents heard a series of gunshots, followed by the sound of screeching tires. One neighbor said they saw a dark-colored vehicle speeding away from the scene moments after the shots were fired.

Officers arrived to find Jesse on the sidewalk, unresponsive. There were multiple gunshot wounds to his torso and leg. Medical personnel with the Kansas City Fire Department attempted lifesaving measures but could not revive him.

No firearm was found at the scene. No arrests were made that evening.

KCKPD immediately launched a homicide investigation, with the department’s Major Case Unit taking the lead. Detectives canvassed the neighborhood for surveillance footage and doorbell cameras, and began conducting interviews with residents.

A Family’s Grief and a Community’s Questions
In the days since Jesse’s murder, his family has struggled with unimaginable grief — and mounting frustration. No arrests have been made. No suspect descriptions have been released. And no motive has been publicly confirmed.

“They won’t even tell us if they think he was the target,” said Maria Marquez, tearfully. “Was it mistaken identity? Was it random? We just don’t know.”

Dozens of family members and friends have gathered nightly at a growing memorial on South 8th Terrace, where candles, flowers, and photos of Jesse now mark the spot where he fell. Many wear T-shirts bearing his name. His younger brother, Javier, just 13, stands silently most nights, staring at the photos.

“He looked up to Jesse like a superhero,” said family friend Rosa Delgado. “Now he’s afraid to go outside.”

Local faith leaders and anti-violence advocates have joined the Marquez family in urging the community to come forward with information.

Kansas City’s Struggle with Youth Gun Violence
Jesse’s killing is part of a troubling pattern unfolding not only in Kansas City, Kansas, but across the country. Young people — especially young men of color — are increasingly becoming victims of gun violence, often in neighborhoods that otherwise see little crime.

In 2024, Kansas City, Kansas recorded 67 homicides, and more than half involved victims under the age of 25. Many remain unsolved, in part due to community fear and distrust of law enforcement.

“This isn’t about gangs. It’s not always about drugs. Sometimes it’s a misunderstanding, an argument, or someone bringing a gun to a situation that didn’t need one,” said Detective Brian Alston, who spoke broadly about youth violence trends but not Jesse’s specific case.

Advocates like Raymond Lewis, a mentor with “Brothers for Change,” say the lack of safe spaces for teens and the accessibility of firearms have created a volatile environment.

“These kids are growing up with trauma, with no conflict resolution skills, and with Glocks in their backpacks,” Lewis said. “If we don’t intervene, we’ll keep burying kids like Jesse.”

The Investigation: What We Know So Far
While KCKPD has released few specifics about Jesse’s case, here is what has been confirmed:

Jesse was outside a residence — possibly a friend’s — on South 8th Terrace when he was shot.

Multiple gunshots were fired, striking Jesse several times.

Witnesses reported a vehicle speeding from the scene.

No one has been arrested or publicly named as a suspect.

Police have not confirmed whether Jesse was the intended target.

Investigators continue to process digital evidence, including Ring camera footage and potential traffic cameras from nearby intersections. Detectives are also asking anyone with information to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS. Tips can be given anonymously, and there is often a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest.

“We believe someone out there knows something,” said a spokesperson for the KCKPD. “Even the smallest detail can help us bring justice to Jesse’s family.”

The Toll on a Neighborhood
The area around South 8th Terrace is typically quiet — a mix of older homes, small churches, and longtime residents. Jesse’s death has shattered that calm.

“You don’t expect a shooting on your street, let alone a murder,” said Clara Simmons, who’s lived on the block for 34 years. “Now my grandkids are scared to play in the front yard.”

Many in the community fear retaliation or being labeled a “snitch” if they cooperate with police. Others simply feel hopeless — a resignation born from watching too many young people die without answers or accountability.

“There’s trauma in this zip code that nobody talks about,” said social worker Angela Vasquez. “And when something like this happens, it rips the scab right off.”

Funeral Plans and Public Tribute
A public memorial service for Jesse Marquez is scheduled for Sunday, July 6, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, where Jesse was baptized as a child. The service will include eulogies from family members, former teachers, and local clergy.

The Marquez family is raising funds via GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses and has asked that mourners wear light blue, Jesse’s favorite color. A private burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.

In addition, the community is organizing a “Justice for Jesse” peace march the following weekend, starting from J.C. Harmon High School and ending at the site of the shooting. Organizers say the march is intended not only to honor Jesse’s life, but also to call attention to the rise in youth gun violence.

A Legacy Unwritten
Jesse Marquez did not live long enough to become the mechanic he dreamed of being. He never got the chance to finish college, buy his first car, or take his younger brother on the road trip to Colorado he’d been planning.

But in his 19 years, he left behind a legacy of kindness, humor, and quiet determination. In the words of his sister, “Jesse didn’t get the future he deserved, but he gave us all love while he was here.”

The fight for justice — for Jesse and for others like him — now rests with those left behind.