KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The shooting death of 16-year-old Shalonda S. Jackson was an act of retaliation after the teen and the suspect had engaged in an ongoing dispute on Facebook, according to court documents.
Jackson’s relatives told police that prior to the shooting, threats were posted on Jackson’s Facebook page by someone they knew only as “Quan”. Those posts, and Jackson’s responses to them, have since been deleted.
DeQuan Hawkins, 20, was arrested and charged with Jackson’s murder. On his Facebook page, Hawkins is known as “QuanQuan Fiveone.” While his Facebook name alludes to gang association, police have not confirmed if he is a member of the Five One gang, whose turf is near the area where Jackson was gunned down (51st and Walrond).
Jackson was shot once as she was walking on a sidewalk in the 3200 block of East 51st Street. She managed to make it to a nearby convenience store where she died.
Related: Police ID Teen Killed in East Side Shooting
Jackson was a student at Central High School. Her cousin, Misha Webb, says she looked forward to her future.
“I don’t know. She’s a baby,” said Webb. “Like what could someone have done at 16 to make someone shoot you in cold blood? I don’t know. It just needs to stop.”
A friend of Jackson’s family told FOX 4 that there’s been more gunfire in the neighborhood recently because of drug trafficking but that people don’t want to get involved.
“Usually there’s always something going on, you know, with the young folks,” said Consuella Surratt. “Even our older people are just standing by and watching it. That’s really sad because we’re all supposed to come together as a community so, it’s kinda hard.”
What is clear, is that the violent groups still exist in the metro, says former gang member Davionne Harvey.
“They’re more out of control and I believe they’re younger now,” Harvey said
Four years ago, Harvey teamed up with several other former gang members and started a privately-funded, anti-violence program called, “Stop It.”
He says their goal is to stop gang-related violence in the metro area and try to reach troubled teens before it’s too late.
“You’ve got to give them positive alternatives,” Harvey says.
In the coming months, Harvey and his group hope to expand their efforts and meet with other anti-crime organizations in the area. Anyone interested in meeting with them can call (816) 778-6198.
