KANSAS CITY, Kan. — They were supposed to be planning a graduation celebration early next year. Instead- a Kansas City, Kansas family is planning a funeral. Ramon Bradley, 17, and a senior in high school was shot and killed early Sunday morning after leaving a party at a local community center.
Kansas City, Kan., police said they currently have no suspects. Ramon’s family is asking for someone who might know something to speak up. They say they don’t want revenge, they just want justice.
The shooting happened near 3rd and Minnesota just after midnight on Sunday, just blocks away from the JFK Community Center where Ramon had been with friends earlier in the night. Family members say a car pulled up next to the car Ramon was in and started shooting.
Ramon’s mother, Ramona Bradley, says he was her first born and the love of her life. He was even named after her. She says he was a typical 17-year-old boy who loved to make other people laugh, play basketball and draw. She says she never thought she’d be burying her son.
“Never would have thought that he would have come into my life at a young age and leave at the same age that I was when I had him,” she said.
For most of his high school career Ramon lived with his grandfather in Kansas City, Kan. George Bradley says his grandson had a gentle nature and was easy to get along with. He says young people, especially those in his neighborhood need to put their guns down.
“Sadly to say but the young black males are like endangered species and man if this can happen to my grandson it can happen to anybody,” said George Bradley.
While her heart is breaking Ramona, a mother of three, says she is at peace knowing her son is in a better place. She says she doesn’t want any other mother to feel pain like hers.
“If someone does something to them they usually want to do the same to them in return and it’s not going to ever end if someone doesn’t change it, break the cycle,” she said.
A vigil is planned for Wednesday night at 6 p.m., location pending. Visitation is planned for 9-11 am Monday, October 29 followed by a funeral from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. the same day. If you have any information about the shooting please call the tips hotline at (816) 474-TIPS.
