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Kansas City Man Charged with Triple Homicide and Animal Abuse Following Domestic Dispute

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KANSAS CITY, MO — Armando Navarro, 50, has been charged with the shooting deaths of three women and a dog, along with the attempted murder of a surviving family member, following a violent domestic incident early Sunday, February 2, 2025, according to court documents filed by the Platte County Prosecutor’s Office.

Officers with the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) responded to reports of a shooting at a residence in the 4100 block of NW 65th Street around 12:40 a.m.

The emergency call came from a neighbor who reported that a distressed woman had knocked on her door, claiming she had been shot at.

Upon arrival, officers discovered a harrowing scene inside the home:

  • Three women were found deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.
  • A dog had also been fatally shot.
  • A surviving victim, whose identity has not been publicly released, managed to escape and alert neighbors.

The deceased have been identified as:

  • Hailey Hopcus, 24
  • Jodie Hopcus, 49
  • Sherri Duncan, 73

The victims were related as granddaughter, mother, and grandmother, respectively. The surviving victim is Hailey’s sister, Jodie’s daughter, and Duncan’s granddaughter.

According to the surviving victim’s account, the tragic events unfolded following an argument between her mother, Jodie Hopcus, and Jodie’s boyfriend, Armando Navarro.

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The couple had a history of frequent disputes, and on the night of the shooting, the argument escalated significantly.

As the surviving victim prepared for bed, she overheard the heated exchange. Navarro was reportedly pleading to stay, claiming he had nowhere else to go, while Jodie insisted he leave.

The situation took a deadly turn when Navarro, instead of gathering his belongings as the family believed, retrieved a small handgun and began shooting.

  • Jodie Hopcus was initially shot in the arm while trying to protect her daughter.
  • When Navarro ran out of ammunition, he grabbed a kitchen knife and later armed himself with a larger firearm, which he momentarily held under his chin as if contemplating suicide.
  • Despite Jodie’s efforts to shield her daughter, Navarro shot her in the head when she attempted to escape.
  • Sherri Duncan, the family’s matriarch, was already motionless on the floor by this point.

The surviving victim narrowly escaped after Navarro fired at her, with a bullet grazing her hair.

She sought refuge at a neighboring residence, where she heard Navarro calling her name before he fled the scene in a white 2020 Ford Expedition registered to one of the victims.

Navarro was later apprehended in Abilene, Kansas, by the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department and the Kansas Highway Patrol.

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His capture came after his son contacted authorities around 2:00 a.m., reporting that Navarro had called him, stating he had “killed them all.”

Navarro is currently being held in the Dickinson County Jail and faces multiple charges, including:

  • 3 counts of First-Degree Murder (Felony)
  • 4 counts of Armed Criminal Action (Felony)
  • 1 count of First-Degree Assault (Felony)
  • 1 count of Animal Abuse (Misdemeanor)

His initial court appearance has not yet been scheduled.

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Missouri Bureau of Investigation (MBI) is assisting with forensic analysis and evidence collection.

Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Kansas City Police Department or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at (816) 474-TIPS.


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Crime

2 shot outside Brown Middle School in Forney, Two Suspects in Custody

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The Kaufman County Sheriff’s Department is actively investigating a shooting that took place Friday afternoon near Brown Middle School in Forney ISD. Authorities confirmed that two individuals were shot in a residential neighborhood near Windmill Farms Boulevard, just outside Forney city limits.

The Kaufman County Sheriff’s Department is actively investigating a shooting that took place Friday afternoon near Brown Middle School in Forney ISD.

Authorities confirmed that two individuals were shot in a residential neighborhood near Windmill Farms Boulevard, just outside Forney city limits.

In response to the incident, two individuals have been taken into custody in connection with the shooting.

However, law enforcement has not yet released details regarding their identities or possible motives.

Forney ISD officials confirmed the presence of an active crime scene in the vicinity, prompting precautionary security measures across multiple campuses.

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Brown Middle School, along with North Forney Middle School, Smith Intermediate, Dewberry Elementary, Blackburn Elementary, and Forney Learning Academy, were placed in “secure” mode as a safety precaution.

Despite the close proximity of the shooting, Forney ISD emphasized that the incident did not occur on school grounds and that all students and staff remained safe throughout the situation.

News footage from the scene showed crime scene tape around a vehicle parked in front of the school.

The district lifted the security measures at approximately 3:30 p.m. and began releasing students to their parents.

Students who walk home were expected to leave at their normal dismissal time of 4:00 p.m., though minor delays were anticipated for bus routes.

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Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. No further details have been provided regarding the condition of the victims.


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