Richard Veliomni Gonzalez, 31, was found shot and killed in the front yard of a home in the Westside North neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri, in the early morning hours of November 18, 2023. Known to family as Rico, he was described as devoted to his daughter, Athena, and passionate about music, often writing and rapping his own songs.

Police first responded to shots fired on the 1800 block of Mercier Place shortly before 1 a.m. but found no victim. About an hour later a family member discovered Richard’s body; emergency crews pronounced him dead at the scene. Investigators recovered three shell casings from the roadway and city surveillance captured a black Hummer H2 witnesses linked to the scene.

A family account said Richard had gone to a residence and assaulted his disabled uncle. Authorities identified the uncle as 45-year-old Gabriel B. Eredia. Eredia surrendered to police with his lawyer; a DNA sample taken from him was matched to DNA on the shell casings. Prosecutors charged Gabriel B. Eredia with second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, and armed criminal action and he was held on $200,000 bond.

If anyone knew Richard, his movements that night, or has information about what led to the shooting, please share what can help the investigation.