Juvenile charged with second-degree murder in shooting death of Kansas City girl

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Police confirmed on Tuesday a juvenile was taken into custody in connection with the shooting death of 11-year-old Kourtney Freeman. On Thursday, the Jackson County 16th Judicial Circuit Court confirmed charges had been filed.

The juvenile was charged with second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, one count of unlawful use of a weapon and several misdemeanor assault counts.

A District Court spokesperson stated that because some of the charges were felonies that qualified for a mandatory certification hearing, a request for a certification hearing has been filed, but not yet scheduled.

Police said someone shot and killed Kourtney Freeman just before 10 p.m. Wednesday, April 10. Investigators said she was inside her home near 33rd St. and Flora Ave. when a bullet fired from outside the house flew inside and hit her.

Freeman is one of seven children in Kansas City, Mo. shot and either killed, or injured, in less than two months.

Kansas City police provided the following information on each case:

• Mari Scott, 5 years old Scott died in what police believe was an accidental discharge of a gun in his house on April 16. Detectives continue to investigate Mari’s death and will eventually present findings to prosecutors to determine if anyone should face charges.
• Unidentified 6-year-old The child was injured in shooting near E. 33rd and Bales Ave. on April 17. Kansas City police said doctors released the child from the hospital. The child continues to recover from the shooting. The police department said detectives have identified some possible suspects, but need additional information from the public to solve the case.
• Trevion Stewart, 13 years old Trevion died following a shooting at 27th & Quincy on April 22. Detectives continue to investigate the case, but have not made any arrests in the homicide.
• Unidentified 17-year-old male Police found the teenager injured as part of a triple shooting in the 11700 block of Corrington Avenue on May, 8. A man died in the shooting and a woman was also injured. At the time of the shooting, Police said a juvenile teen was taken into custody in connection with the shooting and was being held in juvenile detention for further investigation.
• Jesus Mendoza, 17 years old Police responded to a call about a prowler near Truman Road and Hardesty on May 13. When they arrived, they found the body of 17-year-old Jesus Mendoza in the parking lot of the Amstar Gas Station. Another person was injured in the shooting. Police believe a fight escalated and ended with a shooting.
• Unidentified girl under the age of 6 years old The child was injured in a shooting while in a neighborhood near E. 90th Terrace and Raytown Road shortly before 11 p.m. on May 16. The girl was hospitalized, and police said they have not been notified of her release. The shooting remains under investigation.

Anyone with information about any of the cases is asked to call Kansas City Police or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.