On New Year’s Eve, a 16-year-old track star from Kansas City, Missouri, was struck by four stray bullets while simply walking down the stairs in his own home.
The afternoon incident at the Parvin Estates Apartments in the 6100 block of Northeast Russell Road has left his family deeply traumatized and facing an uncertain future.
Kansas City, Missouri Police Department (KCPD) responded to reports of a shooting around 4:25–4:30 p.m. on December 31, 2025.
Authorities said the incident started with an argument between neighbors, during which shots were fired.
Two teenagers were injured in the event: one with non-life-threatening wounds and the other with possible life-threatening injuries.
A suspect was quickly taken into custody, providing some measure of immediate relief to the community.
Although authorities haven’t publicly released the victim’s name, a family-organized GoFundMe shares a clear picture of a promising young athlete whose life changed in an instant.
The page, set up by his mother under the name Annie Purfections, describes how the teen was hit by four stray bullets that originated from a visitor to a neighbor.
Miraculously, he survived the ordeal and is now fighting to recover
The family’s post captures the depth of their gratitude and grief:
“My family recently experienced a very traumatic event that has and will continue to change our lives and the way we see the world forever. My 16-year-old son was walking down the stairs at home when he was hit with 4 stray bullets… We are so grateful that he is alive, but this has been the hardest thing we have ever had to deal with.”
Via GoFundMe
This talented young man is not just any teenager, he’s a standout track star at his high school, full of passion for sports.
He had recently made the basketball team and was excited about the new basketball shoes he’d saved up for and finally received.
His mother expresses deep concern about how this injury might impact his future in athletics, yet she remains hopeful, noting, “I know he is strong.”
The aftermath has been overwhelming on multiple fronts.
The teen is so traumatized that he refuses to return home, opting instead to stay with his grandmother while his mother juggles hospital visits, caring for her other children, and trying to keep the family afloat.
The GoFundMe, with a modest $1,000 goal, aims to ease the mounting financial pressures, including anticipated hospital bills, months of physical therapy, and access to quality mental health support to help him process the terror of that day.
His aunt, Charlene Jackson-Wright, also shared an emotional appeal on the page, emphasizing the randomness of the tragedy:
“This is my nephew. He was in his home minding his [own business] when the bullets came through their home.”
Via Facebook
Stray bullets from neighborhood conflicts are a devastating reality in too many communities, turning ordinary moments into life-altering nightmares.
Violence can quickly destroy a family’s peace and hopes for the future.
As the young athlete begins the long journey of healing, both physically and emotionally, the outpouring of support could make a meaningful difference in helping him reclaim his future on the track and court.
The GoFundMe remains active, inviting compassionate donations to help lighten the load during this incredibly difficult time.
The family’s strength shows in their words, proving a mother’s steady love and how a community can come together to support one of its own.
