DEATH OF REPORTER A POSSIBLE ROAD RAGE INCIDENT
The Platte County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate a fatal shooting incident that occurred on Interstate 29 in Platte County earlier this month.
Dennis Sharkey, age 50 of Liberty, was the victim of a shooting on I-29 near 72nd Street at Platte Woods. Platte County Sheriff Erik Holland has said the incident “has all the hallmarks of a road rage” shooting.
Investigators at this time believe both Sharkey’s vehicle and the suspect’s vehicle came to a stop in the right hand lane of I-29 north of the 72nd Street exit. Authorities say the suspect got out of his vehicle, and Sharkey then attempted to go around the suspect’s vehicle on the left. Authorities say that’s when a single shot was fired into Sharkey’s vehicle.
After the shot was fired north of the 72nd Street exit, authorities say Sharkey’s car traveled a short distance before leaving the right side of the roadway just south of the 72nd Street Exit.
Sharkey’s vehicle traveled down an embankment and came to rest near the barrier fence along NW Prairie View Road at about 70th St.
Authorities are still seeking information from anyone that may have seen Sharkey’s vehicle, which was a white 2019 Chevrolet Spark, traveling southbound on Interstate 29 on Friday, Jan. 10, between 6:30 p.m. up to the time of the incident at 7 p.m.
It is believed that the victim was traveling southbound on I-29 from northern Platte County during that time leading up to the incident.
The Platte County Sheriff’s Office is also seeking information from anyone who was around I-29 between Barry Road and NW 72nd Street about 7 p.m. on Jan. 10 and observed anything that may be relevant to the investigation.
If anyone has information or observed anything that may be relevant to the homicide investigation, contact the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). You can remain anonymous and if information leads to an arrest you may receive up to a $25,000 reward.
Sharkey reported on high school sports for the Platte County Citizen. He had worked for other regional newspapers as well, including a stint with The Landmark from early September 2009 to late January 2010.
A celebration of life for Sharkey was held on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 1-3 p.m. at the Passantino Brothers Funeral Home located at 2117 Independence Boulevard, Kansas City, Mo.
