The Platte County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release late last week announcing it was still investigating the homicide of the Platte County Citizen’s sports reporter Dennis Sharkey, Jr.
The Sheriff’s Office is still seeking information from anyone that may have seen the homicide victim’s vehicle, a white 2019 Chevrolet Spark, traveling southbound on Interstate 29 on Friday, Jan. 10 between 6:30 p.m. up to the time of the incident at 7 p.m. It is believed that the victim was traveling southbound on I-29 from northern Platte County during that time leading up to the incident.
The Platte County Sheriff’s Office is also seeking information from anyone who was around I-29 between Barry Road and Northwest 72nd Street on or about 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, and observed anything that may be relevant to the investigation.
If anyone has information or observed anything that may be relevant to the homicide investigation, contact the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous and if information leads to an arrest may receive up to a $25,000 reward.
A celebration of life for Sharkey was held Saturday, Jan. 25 at Passantino Brothes Funeral Home in Kansas City. A GoFundMe to assist with funeral costs and living expenses for his mother has so far raised nearly $15,000.
On Friday evening, Jan. 10, around 7 p.m., the Kansas City Police Department responded to the area of southbound Interstate 29 near Northwest 72nd Street on a report of a vehicle that ran off the interstate and was resting near the barrier fence next to Prairie View Road. Officers located the vehicle and observed that a single male occupant, Dennis Sharkey, was in the vehicle and was non-responsive. The victim appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound. Aid was rendered at the scene and the victim was transported to an area hospital where he was declared deceased.
Sharkey was a well-known journalist and sports photographer in Missouri. He graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 2006 with a degree in journalism carrying a 3.5 grade point average and was the editor of the university’s newspaper, the Northwest Missourian.
Sharkey worked for many newspapers in the area to include the Oskaloosa, Kansas, Independent, the Leavenworth, Kansas, Times, the Platte County Landmark, the Mexico Ledger, the Mound City News, and most recently, the Platte County Citizen.