OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Police arrested a man from Kansas City, Kan., who they believe killed Brandon L. Holmes, 21, in his Overland Park, Kan., apartment on Sept. 20.
Police said Holmes was found shot in the chest in an apartment at the Meadow Hills Apartment Complex, located near 91st and Foster streets on the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 20.
The suspect has not been identified, but once charges are officially filed, FOX 4 will release his name.
FOX 4’s Monica Evans spoke with the suspect’s mother on Tuesday.
“I know he didn’t do it! I know he didn’t do it,” Cecilia Shelton, mother, said.
Shelton said she thinks her son is being framed.
“I can account for every single moment that that car and that boy was from Noon to 3,” she said.
Shelton said her son’s wife found Holmes dead in his apartment.
The charges — conspiracy to commit murder — opens the door for another arrest or arrests. Police wouldn’t comment specifically only saying they’re continuing to interview several people and investigate the case.
FOX 4 confirmed the suspect, his wife and the victim all lived in the Overland Park apartment. The suspect’s father says the three were friends and got along well, but said his son often stayed with him in Kansas City, Kan., to be close to work.
Police said Holmes did not have a criminal record and think the crime was not completely random.
“Still putting pieces together at this point and time,” said Michelle Koos, Overland Park police officer. “It doesn’t look like there’s any concern for the safety of those who live around that area.”
Because the crime took place in the middle of the day, Koos said police are hoping someone will come forward with information that will lead to an arrest.
“You’ve got a lot of people in a very small area and, granted, at three o’clock in the afternoon on a Friday people may be at work or out running errands, but you still have a lot of people there that might be able to give us even that one little piece of information that might help,” she said.
Holmes’ family is devastated by the loss.
“I’ve never lost someone so close,” said Shamari Couser, brother. “I never thought that it would happen to my family.”
Holmes’ family said he was a friendly man — maybe too friendly.
“You think everybody can be your friend, but everybody’s not your friend,” said William Robinson, brother. “You have to pick your friends wisely.”
This is the second homicide in Overland Park this year. Officers reassured residents in the area they were safe to return to their apartments and that the crime did not appear to be random.
Anyone with knowledge of the crime is asked to call the Overland Park Police Department at 913-344-8750 or the TIPS Hotline at 816.474.TIPS (8477).
Watch our earlier reports:
