Family thinks fatal shooting was hate crime; police disagree

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Family members and police are at odds over the shooting death of a Black gay man in Kansas City, Missouri, with family members saying they think he was shot because he was gay and police saying there’s no evidence to support that.

Twenty-eight-year-old De’Angelo Wallace was killed downtown early on July 5.

A suspect was arrested the same day and was later released.

Wallace’s family members said he had been targeted and threatened in recent weeks because of his sexuality. Police suggest the shooting stemmed from an argument.

A police spokesman said there is no indication it was a hate crime.