Kylan Harrell

Kylan Harrell, a 22-year-old Black man known for his goofy personality and leadership, was on the verge of becoming the first person in his family to graduate from college. A junior at Northwest Missouri State University studying organizational communication, Kylan was the president of his Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity chapter and was active in the Black Student Union and the Men’s Minority Organization. Friends and professors remembered him as a resilient and influential campus leader who, despite a life that wasn't always easy, was determined to succeed and make a difference. A 2016 graduate of Holt High School in Wentzville, he had been a member of the track team. Kylan had been planning to move to Kansas City after his anticipated graduation in the fall of 2020, hoping to build a future outside of his native St. Louis.

On the night of Tuesday, May 26, 2020, those dreams were cut short. At around 11:30 p.m., Ferguson Police Department officers responded to a call and found Kylan suffering from gunshot wounds in the 5100 block of Fir Drive in the St. Louis County suburb. He was rushed to a local hospital, but his injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead. In the initial stages of the investigation, police were uncertain of the exact location where the shooting had taken place, only that Kylan was discovered on Fir Drive. No suspects were immediately identified.

The Ferguson Police Department appealed to the public for any information that could help solve the case. In the days and weeks that followed, Kylan's death was met with an outpouring of grief from those who knew him. His friends, fraternity brothers, and classmates gathered for multiple memorials to celebrate his life. On June 3, nearly 100 people met at Loose Park in Kansas City, releasing black and gold balloons—the colors of Alpha Phi Alpha—in his honor. They shared stories, prayed, and danced to music, remembering a friend who they said would have wanted them to celebrate his life rather than just mourn his death.

Simultaneously, memorials were held in his college town of Maryville and his hometown of St. Louis. At Northwest Missouri State, about 35 professors, advisers, and university leaders gathered to share stories of his academic success and his perseverance. They recalled his leadership and his ability to challenge himself, with one university official noting his journey was an "unbelievable testament to perseverance." His friends remembered his constant jokes and the close bond they shared, with one describing him as his "little brother." Just two days before he was killed, Kylan had been on the phone with that friend, talking about their plans for the future.

In the years since Kylan Harrell's death, his case has remained unsolved. No arrests have been announced, and no suspects have been publicly named by law enforcement. The investigation into who shot and killed the promising college student is ongoing. To encourage tips, CrimeStoppers offered a reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. In July 2021, Kylan's mother announced she was doubling the reward in a renewed plea for justice for her son.

As of late 2021, the case remains open and active. Friends have worked to continue Kylan's legacy, starting a scholarship for his younger sister. The Ferguson Police Department continues to ask that anyone with information regarding the homicide of Kylan Harrell contact them at 314-522-3100.