On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, a cherished resident of Kansas City, Missouri, lost his life in a tragic incident that unfolded during a road rage encounter on a busy highway. The fatal incident occurred in broad daylight, just before 11:20 a.m., on the curve of U.S. 71 Highway near Blue River Road.
Keithlin Royster, aged 32, was driving an SUV when he was shot. After the shooting, the vehicle came to a stop on the side of the highway. An adult female passenger who was in the SUV at the time was not injured; she got out and flagged down drivers on the busy highway to seek help. A healthcare worker who was passing by stopped and provided aid to Royster until emergency responders could arrive.
Despite these efforts, when Kansas City police officers arrived, they found Royster unresponsive and suffering from gunshot wounds inside the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. The police investigation quickly determined the shooting was road rage-related.
Following the shooting, police searched for two male suspects. In a significant development, a person of interest turned himself in to authorities on Wednesday afternoon. As of the latest reports, investigators are not looking for any additional suspects, and the case has been submitted to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office for review of potential charges.
The incident has drawn a strong response from local officials concerned about a trend of violent road rage. Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson stated her office filed four road rage cases in the first four months of 2025 alone, all involving death, injury, or weapons. She emphasized the permanent consequences of such conflicts, urging drivers not to let moments of frustration dictate their actions.
The tragedy on Highway 71 has left the community shaken, serving as a stark reminder of how quickly a traffic dispute can turn deadly. The investigation into the exact circumstances that led to the shooting remains ongoing.