James “Uncle Jimmy” Dodds, a familiar voice to sports fans and longtime friend of commentator Jason Whitlock, has died after a shooting outside his Kansas City, Kansas home. Three teenagers have been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the case.
According to the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, officers responded around 7:15 p.m. Sunday, June 7, to the 3000 block of North 82nd Terrace after reports of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found Dodds, 64, outside his residence suffering from a gunshot wound.
Dodds was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. He died from his injuries Monday, June 8.
Friends and supporters described Dodds as a devoted father of five and a beloved personality whose death prompted an outpouring of tributes on social media.
Police announced that Aaron Johnson, 18, Mark Elliott Nash Jr., 18, and Marquel McGee, 18, all of Kansas City, Kansas, were taken into custody Monday in Newton, Kansas. Wyandotte County prosecutors charged all three Tuesday with first-degree murder.
The suspects are currently being held in the Harvey County Detention Center while awaiting transfer to Wyandotte County.
Investigators have not released details about a possible motive or the circumstances that led to the shooting. The case remains under investigation by the KCKPD Major Case Unit.
Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact the Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.
As with all criminal cases, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
