KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On Monday, family, friends, and others gathered to celebrate the life of Nicholas Carter, who was shot and killed last month near Oak Leaf Drive and Crabapple Lane in Kansas City, Missouri.
Loved ones gathered in Gillham Park on what would’ve been Carter’s 37th birthday.
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“Unfortunately, his life was taken away on July 15, 2025, sometime in the morning. It’s really hard. We had a baby shower yesterday, and you know, missing him is going to be just something; he was the life of the party,” said Carter’s mother, Kelley Fitzpatrick.
Carter’s loved ones came together with birthday balloons in hand. They reflected on the good times they had with Nicholas.
“He was really outgoing. He didn’t meet a stranger, a good personality. He also, you know, how they say never go to sleep mad, if he maybe had an argument or something, he ended that,” Fitzpatrick explained.
The vigil ended with a balloon release, as well as a call to end gun violence.
There have been more than 100 victims of homicide in Kansas City, Missouri in 2025.
Rosilyn Temple, the founder of KC Mothers in Charge, said the Kansas City community needs to work together to address gun violence.
“I’m just so angry with my community because it’s like the community just tapped out. We’ve got to stop being okay with it. Get angry, do something. Make it your business. Tell on these people, use Crimestoppers—$ 25,000 reward. You can be anonymous. Or just call the police department,” said Rosilyn Temple, the founder of KC Mothers in Charge.
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KC Mothers in Charge is a violence prevention and support organization led by mothers, families, and loved ones affected by homicide. Through vigils, community outreach, and trauma-informed counseling and support groups, the organization advocates for safer neighborhoods across Kansas City and provides hope and healing to those affected by violent crime.
If you have any information that could help police solve this homicide case, you can call KCPD homicide detectives directly at (816) 234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at (816) 474-8477. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS Hotline.
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