Rafael Avila-Mendez, a 78-year-old Hispanic/Latino man, was found dead at his home in the 1900 block of Kansas Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, on the evening of Saturday, July 23, 2022. Officers were called to the residence at about 10 p.m. after a report of a shooting and discovered him with fatal gunshot wounds. Emergency medical services responded but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The death was ruled a homicide and became the city’s 90th homicide of the year. Detectives and crime scene investigators processed the scene and sought witnesses, but no suspects were immediately identified and no arrests have been reported. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest, and authorities asked anyone with tips to contact the TIPS Hotline.

If anyone knew Rafael or saw activity near the 1900 block of Kansas Avenue on the night of July 23, 2022, please consider contacting investigators with information.