Samuel J. Hughes

Samuel James Hughes, a 36-year-old White man, was born on Christmas Day in 1988 to his parents, James Hughes and Beth Cooper. Known as Samuel J. Hughes to many, he lived a life that was tragically cut short just days after his birthday, leaving behind a family to navigate an unimaginable loss. His life and that of his younger brother would become intertwined in a violent encounter that ended in a public parking lot on a cold winter evening.

On the night of Thursday, January 2, 2025, Samuel and his 33-year-old brother, Jeffrey J. Hughes, drove to a shopping plaza in south Kansas City, Missouri. At approximately 7:30 p.m., in the parking lot located in the 8700 block of Blue Ridge Boulevard near a Save A Lot grocery store, a meeting took a fatal turn. Officers with the Kansas City Police Department were dispatched to the scene following reports of gunfire. When they arrived, they found both Samuel and Jeffrey suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency medical personnel pronounced both brothers dead at the scene.

The initial investigation began immediately, with homicide detectives canvassing the busy commercial area for witnesses and any available surveillance footage. The double homicide marked the third fatal shooting to occur near that same intersection in just over two months, casting a shadow over the community. In the early stages of the case, police believed the shooting stemmed from an argument or interaction that took place in the parking lot just before the shots were fired. They urged the public to come forward with any information.

For over a year, the case remained under active investigation as detectives worked to piece together the events that led to the deaths of the Hughes brothers. A significant breakthrough came as investigators analyzed witness reports, cellphone data, and surveillance footage. The evidence revealed that Samuel and Jeffrey had arranged to meet with individuals at the shopping plaza with the intention of purchasing a firearm. This meeting, however, was not a simple transaction.

According to investigators, the encounter escalated into a deadly robbery. When one of the Hughes brothers exited his vehicle, he was allegedly robbed by an accomplice of the seller. Following the robbery, the primary suspect, identified through the investigation, reportedly opened fire on both Samuel and Jeffrey, killing them before fleeing the scene. This new information shifted the understanding of the case from a potential dispute to a planned robbery that ended in a double murder.

In June 2026, the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office announced charges in the case. Kevion Westmoreland, a 20-year-old from Kansas City, was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action, and one count of first-degree robbery in connection with the killings of Samuel and Jeffrey Hughes. A Jackson County judge set Westmoreland’s bond at $500,000. The charges represented a major step forward in the long and complex investigation carried out by the Kansas City Police Department.

As of June 2026, the case against Kevion Westmoreland is proceeding through the Jackson County court system. Early in the investigation, a reward of up to $25,000 was offered for information leading to a conviction. While an arrest has been made, authorities continue to ask anyone with information regarding the case to contact the Kansas City Police Department's Homicide Unit directly at 816-234-5043 or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.