Antonio Dennis was 33 and worked as a manager at a Burger King in Lee’s Summit. He met Shaquil J. Roland at a group home years earlier and adopted him in 2014, taking an active role as a mentor and father figure and helping Roland get a job at the restaurant. Family described their relationship as close, with Dennis regularly advocating for Roland and including him in family life.

On the evening of January 15, 2016, both men were working a shift at the restaurant on Northeast Douglas Street when a dispute over a vehicle that Dennis would not allow Roland to drive without a license turned into a heated argument. Witnesses say the argument moved into the parking lot and Roland drew a firearm, firing at least ten rounds. Dennis was found with multiple gunshot wounds, taken to a hospital, and later died. Roland reportedly returned briefly inside, left the gun on the counter, apologized to coworkers, then fled; he was arrested soon after and charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action. He was being held on $200,000 bond.

Anyone who knew Dennis or saw what happened that night is asked to share information.