Gun violence in Kansas City kills ‘neighborhood mom’, community demands shootings stop

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A Kansas City, Mo. neighborhood is devastated by the death of a 58-year-old woman in her own home on the night of April 10.

The whole block said they felt like they lost their mother because Nancy Stinnett was such a caring person to everyone who knew her, accounting for her nickname of Mama Nancy - or the Neighborhood Mom.

The 3000 block of 32nd Street has returned to its usual calm environment, but so much pain is left behind from ‘Mama Nancy’s’ death.

“She was the one that took in all the kids that got kicked out and looked after her own as well,” Neighbor Rose Palmer said.

“She was just so upbeat, a beautiful spirit, a beautiful smile,” Nancy’s longtime friend Kenneth Henderson added. “Just an all-around beautiful person, just lovely.”

Tuesday night, Nancy Stinnett was found dead in her home after gunshots came from outside through her walls and struck her. Police have no suspects or leads.

“I looked up and down this street and I can’t think of anybody on this block that anyone would want to hurt,” Palmer expressed. “But we do hear a lot of gunshots on 31st Street and Linwood.”

“I don’t understand it, but I hate to hear anyone getting killed by gunfire,” Henderson told KCTV. “It’s just senseless and something really has to be done about it.”

Nancy Stinnett called this stretch of 32nd Street home for her entire life. To learn she was killed in her own house, neighbors want change.

They’re pushing Congress and Kansas City leaders to work with them to stop violent crime at its core.

“A lot of these shootings have to do with mental health and they’re not doing anything about that” Palmer complained. “They’re in their little Ivory Towers and we’re down here putting up with whatever we have to put up with. It’s not right, it’s not fair, it’s ungodly. So don’t tell me you’re a Christian. What would Jesus do?”

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