Suspect in custody after deadly road rage shooting on Highway 71

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A suspect turned themselves in to police following a deadly road rage shooting that killed 33-year-old Keithlin Royster on Highway 71 near Blue River Road on Wednesday.

The fatal shooting happened in broad daylight on the busy highway curve, according to police. Officers said they are not seeking additional suspects with the person of interest now in custody.

Prosecutor warns of rising road rage violence

Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson said the incident represents a concerning trend in the metro area.

“This is just another senseless tragedy that could have easily been avoided,” Johnson said.

Johnson said her office filed four road rage cases in just the first four months of 2025, all involving death, injury or weapons. An increase in road rage incidents, but at the same time, homicides and crimes against people dropped.

Johnson has a message for everyone getting behind the wheel.

“We are all frustrated at numerous points during every single day. We cannot allow those moments to dictate the rest of our lives. And a lot of these scenarios, whether you are on the suspect side or you are on the victim side, they can have permanent consequences,” Johnson said.

The prosecutor said her office will continue to pursue these cases aggressively.

“We took those types of cases seriously in 2025. And we’re absolutely going to take them seriously in 2026,” Johnson said.

Johnson said she expects to review possible charges soon and made a promise to the victims’ families.

“We will make sure that we can face the families of these victims so that they know we pursue justice to the fullest extent out of the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office,” Johnson said.