Suspected road rage shooter questioned in Kansas City sports reporter’s death

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Six months after someone shot and killed a Kansas City sports reporter in a suspected road rage incident on Interstate 29, detectives may have a break in the case.

Investigators with the Platte County Sheriff’s Office said they’ve identified, and interviewed, a possible suspect in the death of 50-year-old Dennis Sharkey, Jr.

50-year-old Dennis Sharkey Jr. was shot and killed in his car along I-29. His family and... — 50-year-old Dennis Sharkey Jr. was shot and killed in his car along I-29. His family and friends are still searching for answers.(Courtesy Sharkey family)

Emergency responders found Sharkey’s body inside his car near NW 70th Street and NW Prairie View Road Jan. 10.

Fifty-year-old Dennis Sharkey was found shot inside his car on Friday and the whereabouts of... — Fifty-year-old Dennis Sharkey was found shot inside his car on Friday and the whereabouts of the shooter are unknown at this time.(KCTV5/Joe Hennessy)

Sharkey was a reporter for The Platte County Citizen, a local newspaper. Deputies believe Sharkey was returning from covering a sporting event when he was killed.

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Sharkey was driving a white 2019 Chevrolet Spark, similar to the one below. It was traveling Southbound on Interstate 29 Friday, Jan. 10 between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The Platte County Sheriff's Office provided an image of a Chevrolet Spark, similar to the one... — The Platte County Sheriff's Office provided an image of a Chevrolet Spark, similar to the one Dennis Sharkey drove when he was shot and killed.(Platte County Sheriff's Office)

The sheriff’s office believes Sharkey was a victim of road rage. Investigators said Sharkey and someone in another vehicle stopped on the interstate for some reason. The suspect then got out of the vehicle and fired a single shot into Sharkey’s vehicle.

Sharkey turned 50 the day before he was killed. He planned to celebrate the milestone with family and friends the following day.

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Investigators continue to follow up on leads in the case. Anyone who witnessed something on Jan. 10 that may relate to Sharkey’s homicide is asked to report it to the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.