‘It just doesn’t make sense’: Family, friends of sports reporter seek justice after his death
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Family and friends of Dennis Sharkey Jr. gathered outside Arrowhead Stadium Tuesday afternoon to the man they say was outspoken, opinionated, and loved.
“He’s been around as long as I’ve been alive,” said Sadie Grigsby, a family friend who referred to Sharkey Jr. as an uncle. “He was funny, goofy, smart, kind. He ed you when you needed it. He didn’t have to show up because he was always there. That was his way.”
His loved ones say that’s how they want Sharkey Jr. to be ed: a ionate sports reporter, son, and friend.
“Royals, Chiefs, high school sports, everything,” said Grigsby. “Bearcats, how can I forget. I was 5 years old, and I heard yelling coming from the basement and said ‘Mom, what the heck is going on’ and she said ‘Oh, Dennis is watching the Bearcats game’.”
Sharkey Jr. turned 50 the day before he was killed. He was planning on celebrating his birthday with loved ones on Saturday. Several say they heard what happened on Friday while they were preparing for his party.
Several have spoken out on Sharkey Jr.’s legacy, saying the impact he had on local sports was huge. Platte County High School head football coach Bill Utz called his work “priceless.”
“He cared a lot,” said Grigsby. “I’m up at Park Hill South and he would always talk soccer to me or how good the swim team was. He cared about all the sports from wrestling to football.”
READ MORE: I-29 shooting victim: Platte County coach reflects on legacy of newspaper reporter killed
Platte County Deputies believe Sharkey was coming from covering a sporting event Friday night before being shot and killed on I-29 heading south. A suspect has not been identified and no one has been taken into custody at this time.
“We do know both the suspect and victim’s vehicle stopped on the interstate,” Capt. Jeffrey Shanks explained. “The suspect got out of his car and shot into the victim’s vehicle as the victim tried to drive off.”
Deputies still believe more witnesses are out there.
“If you were in that area -- Berry Road and 72nd Street on Friday between 6:50 pm and 7:10 p.m. and have any type of camera footage from your in-car system or anything else we would like to be ed,” Capt. Shanks pleaded.
Sharkey Jr.’s family and friends are also asking if you were in the area Friday night to look at your dash cameras to see if you captured anything.
A GoFundMe was started to help pay for funeral expenses and to help Sharkey Jr’s mom, who also lost her husband last Tuesday.
“She is going to need any and all she can get,” said Richard Brand. “And there is a $25,000 reward for any tips leading to the capture so say something if you saw something please.”
The Platte County Sheriff’s Office says you can also remain anonymous if you report anything to 816-474-84777 or log on to KCcrimestoppers.com. There’s also the P3Tips.com mobile app.
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