On October 25, 2017, 31-year-old John Jr. Owens was shot and killed near the intersection of Independence and Elmwood avenues in the Old Northeast area of Kansas City, Missouri. Witnesses said Owens was talking with at least one other person moments before shots were fired; he was found by police and pronounced dead a short time later. The investigation was classified as a homicide and police canvassed the neighborhood and asked the public for information, but no arrests or suspects were publicly identified in the days after the killing.

Known as Bam Bam to friends and family, Owens was described as a devoted family man who had recently married and was a father. He enjoyed working on cars and was a Kansas City Chiefs fan. His death remains an open and unresolved loss for his wife, children and community. If anyone has information about the shooting, please come forward to the Kansas City Police Department.