Romello Shipman

Romello Maliq Thomas Shipman, a young man with dreams of becoming a fighter pilot, was just 22 years old when his life was cut short by gunfire in Kansas City, Missouri. Born on April 20, 1998, in Tacoma, Washington, Romello was a Black man who grew up between Jersey City, New Jersey, and Kansas City. Friends and family knew him by the affectionate nicknames 'LoLo' and 'Mello' and remembered him as being "loyal to a fault." He was a graduate of Center High School and had plans to continue his education at the Westwind School of Aeronautics in Phoenix, Arizona, to pursue his passion for aviation. A devoted father, he left behind his beloved daughter, Kah' Mara Nacole Emori Shipman, and her mother, Martiya Russ.

The night that ended Romello's future unfolded in the early morning hours of Tuesday, June 23, 2020. At approximately 2:20 a.m., officers with the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department were dispatched to the 1500 block of East 83rd Street after receiving calls about multiple gunshots in the area. Callers reported seeing a victim near the intersection of 83rd and Wayne Avenue, in front of a residence. When police arrived, they found Romello in the street, suffering from gunshot wounds. Tragically, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Shortly after Romello was discovered, a second man who had also been shot arrived at a local hospital. This individual was reported to be in stable condition and was expected to survive his injuries. The shooting marked the 89th homicide in Kansas City that year. Detectives and crime scene investigators spent hours at the location, canvassing the neighborhood and collecting evidence in an attempt to piece together what had happened in the moments leading up to the fatal shooting.

The investigation into Romello Shipman’s murder was launched immediately by the Kansas City Police Department's Homicide Unit. In the days following the shooting, authorities publicly identified Romello as the victim but released no information regarding a possible motive or any potential suspects. The case, like many others, relied heavily on information from the community to generate leads and bring justice for the victim and his family.

Romello was mourned by a large and loving family, including his parents, Lamont Thomas Shipman and Tina Jumper, his stepmother, Linda Shipman, and numerous brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins. His obituary described him as a "sweet son, brother, father and friend to so many," whose life was "gone too soon." His loved ones continue to share memories and light virtual candles for him on memorial websites, expressing their ongoing grief and love.

As of the latest available reports, the homicide of Romello Shipman remains unsolved. No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The Kansas City Police Department continues to seek information from anyone who might know something about the shooting that occurred on East 83rd Street. A reward of up to $25,000 is available for any information that leads to an arrest in the case. Authorities urge anyone with knowledge of the crime to contact the Homicide Unit directly at 816-235-5043 or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).