Kansas City Mourns the Loss of Monique Smith After Tragic Gas Station Shooting
KANSAS CITY, MO — A wave of grief and heartbreak has washed over the Kansas City community following the tragic and senseless loss of Monique Smith, who was fatally shot on the morning of Saturday, June 14, 2025, at a gas station near 35th and Prospect Avenue.
Monique has been officially identified as the victim in the early-morning incident that has left loved ones devastated and the community shaken. Details surrounding the shooting remain under investigation, but what is clear is that another precious life has been taken far too soon.
At the heart of this tragedy is not just a name, but a person who was deeply loved—someone’s daughter, someone’s friend, perhaps a mother, a sister, a confidante. Monique Smith was part of a community that now mourns her passing and struggles to understand how such violence continues to claim lives with such frequency and cruelty.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing gunshots just after sunrise, and emergency responders quickly arrived on the scene. Despite efforts to save her, Monique succumbed to her injuries at the site of the shooting. Authorities have not yet released information on a suspect or motive, and the investigation remains active.
Community groups, including KCKnowledges, have spoken out in support of Monique’s loved ones and are calling for unity and immediate action to confront the continuing cycle of violence that is devastating families across Kansas City.
“People, we need to start valuing life and stop the killing,” read a heartfelt post from KCKnowledges. “I send my deepest condolences to Monique’s family and friends. If there’s anything that KCKnowledges can do, just please reach out to us.”
That call—urgent, sincere, and shared by many—reflects a growing cry across the city: enough is enough. Too many lives, like Monique’s, have been ended by gun violence. And each time, the loss is more than a statistic. It is the extinguishing of a future, the breaking of hearts, the silencing of a voice that mattered.
Monique’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief on social media, where tributes and memories are being shared. Friends describe her as loving, kind, and spirited, someone who brought light into the lives of those she touched.
“Monique was always smiling, always showing love,” one friend wrote. “I can’t believe she’s gone. This doesn’t make sense. She didn’t deserve this.”
Others have turned their sorrow into resolve, urging local leaders and law enforcement to prioritize community safety and invest more deeply in violence prevention, mental health outreach, and youth mentorship.
A memorial vigil is being planned by community members who wish to honor Monique’s life and demand justice for her death. Those close to the family have asked for privacy during this incredibly difficult time, but welcome prayers, support, and any assistance in covering funeral costs.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact the Kansas City Police Department’s Homicide Unit or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. Even the smallest detail could be critical in helping detectives bring accountability and closure to a grieving family.
Rest in peace, Monique Smith. You deserved a full life, not a headline. You will be remembered not by the way you left, but by the love, laughter, and strength you brought into this world. Your community grieves for you, and we will not forget.