Connect with us

Kansas

Room to help sexual assault survivors unveiled at Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department

Published

on

Room to help sexual assault survivors unveiled at Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department


KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A new room at the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department will be used to interview survivors of sexual assault and trauma.

The ‘soft room’ is the first of its kind in Missouri.

Rachel Henderson/KSHB 41

The first soft room located at KCPD’s headquarters.

An organization called Project Beloved has set up over 100 soft rooms nationwide. The most recent room put into service isi n Kansas City.

Advertisement

“I’m really excited for Kansas City to have this room, and to set that precedent in this area for their approach to sexual assault,” said Becky Halterman, Project Beloved vice president.

Halterman has personal ties to Project Beloved’s cause.

“Project Beloved was started April 10, 2018, a year to the day after my niece, Molly Jane Matheson was found raped and murdered,” Halterman. Her sister, Tracy Mathesan, is the founder and Molly’s mother.

project beloved mission.jpg

Rachel Henderson/KSHB 41

A picture hanging in the soft room honors Molly Jane Matheson and another survivor, Megan Getrum, whose artwork is on the walls.

The organization seeks to educate the public and advocate for sexual assault survivors so they’re empowered to find their voices through the support they’re given.

Advertisement

“There’s a lot more progress that needs to be made, starting from a place of believing,” Halterman said. “Let’s invite them into this room, have them tell their story, investigate it, and find out what we can do.”

Zachary Mallory understands just how much progress is necessary.

“I was sexually assaulted at 17,” Mallory said. “I know what it felt like to be not believed. I know what it felt like to be unheard and to be re-victimized.”

A decade later, Mallory’s found love and safe spaces in his partner, his dog and community involvement. But that doesn’t mean he’s forgotten what he went through, particularly in interview rooms.

“Sitting in that room and just listening to them ask me questions, I’m like, ‘Why am I here?’” he said. “Sitting in fluorescent lights is not going to be a good situation, it’s going to make me more frustrated, it’s going to make me very uncomfortable, and I’m going to be very agitated.”

Advertisement

Tye Grant is President and CEO of the Police Foundation of Kansas City.

As a former high-ranking member of the police department, he recalls how straightforward interview rooms were during his time.

old interview room.jpg

Rachel Henderson/KSHB 41

An interview room used before the ‘soft room’ rennovation.

“An interview room is built just to do that – interview somebody,” Grant said. “It’s a table and chair, not really a lot a thought about providing anything beyond a location to conduct an interview.”

The Police Foundation supports projects intended improve the police department. It funded KCPD’s first soft room, and Grant says there’s already talk of a second room.

Advertisement

“This is innovative today,” Grant said. “We should have done this a long time ago. So when they brought us this concept, our response was, ‘Absolutely, let’s do it.’”

The police department works over 500 sexual assault cases a year.

Though the room was just unveiled Thursday, it’s a space hundreds of survivors will now be able to use.

“Imagine if you were a victim of something, and you’re having to come and tell law enforcement about the worst day of your life, and you step into this space, it’s not what you’re expecting,” Halterman said. “You are able to sit in a space that’s safe, warm and inviting as opposed to cold, stark and sterile and talk to law enforcement, who also are in a different frame of mind. They’re also not interrogating someone, they’re not in that same space that maybe they were two hours ago interrogating a really violent offender.”

The space includes new furniture, lamps, rugs, paint, artwork, plants, blankets and dim lighting.

Advertisement

“This is a part of accountability and a part of bringing the community back together,” Mallory said. “I think that this is also going to save lives.”

As someone who’s attempted to take their own life, Mallory says the mental health support for survivors goes far beyond the soft room.

“I think going further is bringing more mental health support into the interviewing process,” Mallory said. “There’s a lot of work that can happen, and include people who have that experience to advise on what the next steps can be. I’m more than willing to be that resource if they want to reach directly out.”

A resource Mallory says was crucial when he was seeking help was the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault, or MOSCA.

“I finally found that passion within me that I didn’t know that I had,” Mallory said. “I started speaking out, speaking up every time I see something, I say something.”

Advertisement

Mallory also says it’s important to remember how common sexual assault can be.

“Sexual assault doesn’t just happen to women, doesn’t just happen to men, it happens to trans people, nonbinary people,” Mallory said. “It happens to everybody. It doesn’t discriminate.”

So along with advocates like Halterman, Mallory will keep the conversation going so that safe spaces can grow and spread.

“Being able to be that vocal voice and be that leader that the community needs, I’m happy to be here,” Mallory said.

If you or anyone you know has been impacted by sexual violence and needs support, please call MOCSA’s 24-hour crisis line at 816-531-0233.

Advertisement





Source link

Kansas

Kansas City murder suspect added to FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list

Published

on

Kansas City murder suspect added to FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list


Woman on the run in connection with Kansas City murder added to FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list

Advertisement

KaShawn Nicola Roper, who is wanted in connection with a 2020 shooting in Kansas City, should be considered “armed and dangerous,” officials say.

Updated: 11:40 AM CDT Apr 14, 2026

Editorial Standards

Advertisement

A woman who has been on the run for years in connection with a Kansas City, Missouri, homicide has been added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. KaShawn Nicola Roper, 50, is wanted for murder after a shooting on Aug. 23, 2020. Roper allegedly fired shots at a vehicle, striking two female victims. One of the victims, 23-year-old Jazmyn Henrion, was killed. Roper was charged on Sept. 10, 2020, with second-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. At that time, a state warrant was issued for her arrest. A federal warrant was issued on July 1, 2021, after she was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. More than five years later, Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department Chief Stacey Graves, along with the FBI and the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, announced that Roper was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted on April 14. Officials say Roper should be considered “armed and dangerous.” She is described as a Black female who is 5 feet, 5 inches tall and approximately 120 pounds. She has tattoos on her left arm, upper right arm, left calf, neck, right wrist, right side of her chest and her abdomen. She has pierced ears. She was born in Kansas and previously lived in Kansas City, but she has ties to Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, Colorado, Georgia and South Dakota. Authorities are offering a $1 million reward for information leading to an arrest or conviction. Anyone with information on Roper’s whereabouts is asked to contact the nearest FBI office or local law enforcement agency. Calls can be directed to 1-800-CALL-FBI. Those outside of the U.S. should contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Tips can be submitted online to tips.fbi.gov. All tips can remain anonymous. Since the inception of the Ten Most Wanted list in 1950, 21 fugitives wanted within the FBI’s Kansas City are of responsibility have been placed on the list. Fourteen of those fugitives have been arrested in the Kansas City region. “When a life is taken in our community, our commitment to justice does not waver. For nearly five years, this case has remained unresolved, and we are continuing to pursue every lead to bring answers to a grieving family,” Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson said. “We are grateful to the FBI for bringing additional tools and national attention to this case. Someone somewhere has information that can help move this investigation forward. We urge anyone with knowledge of KaShawn Roper’s whereabouts to come forward. Your voice could make all the difference for a family still seeking justice.” “This announcement reflects the great collaboration between the Kansas City Missouri Police Department and our federal partners — specifically, the long-standing partnership with FBI, resulting in a safer Kansas City,” Graves said. “A safer Kansas City means holding offenders accountable through arrest and prosecution. For too long, KaShawn Roper has remained a fugitive and avoided accountability. With the assistance of the FBI and the attention brought by her addition to the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, we are confident she will be apprehended. We are committed to ensuring justice is served for the victims and their loved ones.”

A woman who has been on the run for years in connection with a Kansas City, Missouri, homicide has been added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.

KaShawn Nicola Roper, 50, is wanted for murder after a shooting on Aug. 23, 2020. Roper allegedly fired shots at a vehicle, striking two female victims. One of the victims, 23-year-old Jazmyn Henrion, was killed.

Advertisement

Roper was charged on Sept. 10, 2020, with second-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. At that time, a state warrant was issued for her arrest.

A federal warrant was issued on July 1, 2021, after she was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

A poster shows KaShawn Nicola Roper's photo and lists her as part of the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.

Advertisement

More than five years later, Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department Chief Stacey Graves, along with the FBI and the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, announced that Roper was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted on April 14.

Officials say Roper should be considered “armed and dangerous.”

She is described as a Black female who is 5 feet, 5 inches tall and approximately 120 pounds. She has tattoos on her left arm, upper right arm, left calf, neck, right wrist, right side of her chest and her abdomen. She has pierced ears.

She was born in Kansas and previously lived in Kansas City, but she has ties to Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, Colorado, Georgia and South Dakota.

Advertisement

Authorities are offering a $1 million reward for information leading to an arrest or conviction.

Anyone with information on Roper’s whereabouts is asked to contact the nearest FBI office or local law enforcement agency. Calls can be directed to 1-800-CALL-FBI. Those outside of the U.S. should contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Tips can be submitted online to tips.fbi.gov. All tips can remain anonymous.

Since the inception of the Ten Most Wanted list in 1950, 21 fugitives wanted within the FBI’s Kansas City are of responsibility have been placed on the list. Fourteen of those fugitives have been arrested in the Kansas City region.

“When a life is taken in our community, our commitment to justice does not waver. For nearly five years, this case has remained unresolved, and we are continuing to pursue every lead to bring answers to a grieving family,” Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson said. “We are grateful to the FBI for bringing additional tools and national attention to this case. Someone somewhere has information that can help move this investigation forward. We urge anyone with knowledge of KaShawn Roper’s whereabouts to come forward. Your voice could make all the difference for a family still seeking justice.”

Advertisement

“This announcement reflects the great collaboration between the Kansas City Missouri Police Department and our federal partners — specifically, the long-standing partnership with FBI, resulting in a safer Kansas City,” Graves said. “A safer Kansas City means holding offenders accountable through arrest and prosecution. For too long, KaShawn Roper has remained a fugitive and avoided accountability. With the assistance of the FBI and the attention brought by her addition to the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, we are confident she will be apprehended. We are committed to ensuring justice is served for the victims and their loved ones.”



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Kansas

Multiple communities report damage, 3 people injured after tornado-producing storms

Published

on

Multiple communities report damage, 3 people injured after tornado-producing storms


KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Multiple communities in Kansas have had damage after reported tornadoes and severe storms.

The city of Ottawa, Kansas, says that after the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning at approximately 7:25 p.m. on Monday, April 13, a storm caused structural damage.

Hillsdale Kansas suffered storm damage from possible tornado-producing storm.

Officials say that 3 people suffered minor injuries at a home with significant damage east of Ottawa, in Franklin County. The city says that no injuries or fatalities have been reported within city limits.

Officials say the majority of the town is without power, and streetlights aren’t working. KCTV reported that Main St. from 1st to 6th does have lights back on, as of 10:36 p.m.

Advertisement

Ottawa USD 290 has cancelled school on Tuesday, April 14, due to the storm aftermath.

Multiple buildings in Hillsdale, Kansas, were damaged after reports of a tornado.(DJ Inlow)

Officials are asking community members to stay off the roadways and to stay away from downed power lines. They also say that all City and County emergency personnel are responding to the weather event.

Ottawa’s Police Chief asked people to stay home overnight as they work to clear storm debris from streets

At this time, there is no estimate as to when power will be restored in Ottawa.

In Hillsdale, Kansas, a spotter shared a photo of a tornado. Viewer photos show significant damage there, as well.

Storm damage after reported tornado in Hillsdale, Kansas
Storm damage after reported tornado in Hillsdale, Kansas(DJ Inlow)

KCTV5 will make updates as they’re made available.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Kansas

Alert Days ahead: Multiple chances for rain, thunderstorms this week in the Kansas City metro

Published

on

Alert Days ahead: Multiple chances for rain, thunderstorms this week in the Kansas City metro


There are multiple chances for rain and thunderstorms this week, including two First Alert Weather Alert Days highlighting the potential for severe thunderstorms. The first Alert Day is Tuesday. Most of the morning and afternoon will be dry, warm, humid and windy. After 5 p.m., ongoing thunderstorms across Oklahoma and southern Kansas will begin moving northeast toward Kansas City. The risk of severe weather will increase after that time and continue through 1 a.m. Wednesday, as thunderstorms lift across areas primarily along and east of Interstate 35 in eastern Kansas and central Missouri. The primary threats are large to very large hail and damaging winds. The tornado risk is low. The severe weather potential on Wednesday depends on whether the atmosphere is able to recover and destabilize after Tuesday night’s storms, Wednesday morning rain and lingering cloud cover. A dryline and cold front will approach the region from the west during the afternoon and evening, providing the focus for showers and thunderstorms that may produce large hail and damaging winds. Another cold front will bring renewed chances for showers and thunderstorms Friday afternoon and evening, and with conditions similar to Wednesday in place, there is at least some potential for severe thunderstorms. Please keep in mind that while this is a common and favorable pattern for showers and thunderstorms, most thunderstorms this week will not produce severe weather. That said, sufficient wind shear, lift, instability and moisture on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday will provide an environment where thunderstorms could thrive and support all types of severe weather. Check the forecast twice daily for updates, review your severe weather safety plan and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts.

There are multiple chances for rain and thunderstorms this week, including two First Alert Weather Alert Days highlighting the potential for severe thunderstorms.

The first Alert Day is Tuesday. Most of the morning and afternoon will be dry, warm, humid and windy. After 5 p.m., ongoing thunderstorms across Oklahoma and southern Kansas will begin moving northeast toward Kansas City. The risk of severe weather will increase after that time and continue through 1 a.m. Wednesday, as thunderstorms lift across areas primarily along and east of Interstate 35 in eastern Kansas and central Missouri.

Advertisement

The primary threats are large to very large hail and damaging winds. The tornado risk is low.

Advertisement

The severe weather potential on Wednesday depends on whether the atmosphere is able to recover and destabilize after Tuesday night’s storms, Wednesday morning rain and lingering cloud cover.

A dryline and cold front will approach the region from the west during the afternoon and evening, providing the focus for showers and thunderstorms that may produce large hail and damaging winds.

This KMBC 9 weather map shows that severe storms are possible around the entire Kansas City region on Wednesday afternoon and evening.

Advertisement

Another cold front will bring renewed chances for showers and thunderstorms Friday afternoon and evening, and with conditions similar to Wednesday in place, there is at least some potential for severe thunderstorms.

Please keep in mind that while this is a common and favorable pattern for showers and thunderstorms, most thunderstorms this week will not produce severe weather. That said, sufficient wind shear, lift, instability and moisture on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday will provide an environment where thunderstorms could thrive and support all types of severe weather.

Check the forecast twice daily for updates, review your severe weather safety plan and have multiple ways to receive weather alerts.

This KMBC 9 weather map shows severe storms are possible in the entire Kansas City region on Friday.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending