Family Of Kansas City Murder-Suicide Victim Live In North Texas
FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM)- The family of a 22 year old mother who was victim in a murder-suicide in Kansas City is mourning her death.
Kasandra Perkins, a North Texas native, who went to school in Garland for several years before graduating from high school in Austin, was murdered by her long-time boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs linebacker, Jevon Belcher, 25.
Perkins had given birth of their child on September 11 of this year. Almost three months later, police say, Belcher shot her multiple times after a domestic dispute at their Kansas City home.
"Recently, they'd been arguing before the shooting this morning," said Officer Darin Snapp, who works with the Kansas City Police Department.
Belcher's mother, who had recently moved in with the couple, called 911.
Police say Belcher then drove to the Chief's practice facility where he thanked his coach and general manager before taking his own life.
"He never threatened them or anything. They talked for a little bit and that's when he shot himself," Snapp said.
Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City was put on lock down after the suicide. The motive is still unknown. But Kansas City Mayor Sly James acknowledged NFL players, like Belcher, are under immense pressure.
"We're talking about kids that are 24,25,26 years old playing in circumstances that some of us never dream of and living lives in fishbowls and sometimes that becomes unbearable," he said.
In North Texas, family members were stunned to hear the news. An uncle, who did not want to be named, told CBS 11 News that Perkins, who was known as Kasi to friends and family, was a young woman who had a full life ahead of her and was ecstatic when she became a mother.
Perkins mother, who lives in Fort Worth, is understandably distraught, and declined to comment.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs are planning to go ahead with Sunday's home game against the Carolina Panthers.
The Chiefs Chairman and CEO, Clark Hunt, said this in a statement:
"The entire Chiefs family is deeply saddened by today's events, and our collective hearts are heavy with sympathy, thoughts and prayers for the families and friends affected by this unthinkable tragedy. We sincerely appreciate the expressions of sympathy and support we have received from so many in the Kansas City and NFL communities, and ask for continued prayers for the loved ones of those impacted."
