Michelle Donato Obituary, Death; – A shooting incident on West Bluff Road on Monday night has resulted in a family losing their mother just days prior to Thanksgiving.
Officers from the Kansas City Police Department were dispatched to the 1300 block of West Bluff Drive at 8:25 p.m. on a report of gunfire. Upon their arrival, they learned that two victims had already departed the scene in a vehicle. Additional officers subsequently located a car on Ceaser Chavez, where two adult female shooting victims were found inside.
The Kansas City Housing Authority informed KCTV5 that three households were involved in the shooting incident. They reported that a gathering was taking place at unit 1308 of the West Bluff Townhomes, with residents from adjacent apartments 1310 and 1306 also in attendance.
The situation escalated into a physical confrontation, leading to gunfire. According to the Housing Authority, both a victim and her mother were shot, resulting in one fatality. The Kansas City Police Department has identified the deceased as 26-year-old Michelle Donato, who leaves behind six children.
“West Bluff is generally a very peaceful neighborhood. While there are occasional incidents, the families living here are good people, and an event like this escalating into violence is truly shocking to nearly everyone in the community,” stated Edwin Lownds, executive director of the Kansas City Housing Authority. Residents of the apartment complex reported hearing multiple gunshots and expressed their devastation over the tragic outcome.
“I frequently walk down here because my sister lives nearby. She and her children always seemed fine, playing outside together. It’s hard to believe this happened to her. It’s heartbreaking; she won’t be able to spend Thanksgiving with her kids,” remarked neighbor Kimberly.
The Kansas City Housing Authority noted that there are 99 families residing in the West Bluff Townhomes. On Tuesday, the authority was present on-site to connect families with counseling and other support services.
