KANSAS CITY, MO — February 2, 2025 — A night of terror unfolded in a quiet Kansas City neighborhood when 50-year-old Armando Navarro allegedly shot and killed three women and a family dog, wounded a surviving family member, and fled the scene, triggering a multi-state manhunt before his capture in Kansas. The horrific events transpired in the 4100 block of NW 65th Street, leaving a family shattered and a community in shock.

Distress Call Leads to Horrific Discovery

Shortly after 12:40 a.m., the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) received a 911 call from a concerned neighbor. A frantic woman, later identified as the lone survivor of the attack, had banged on the neighbor’s door, gasping for help, claiming she had been shot at. Officers arrived at the residence within minutes and were met with a horrifying scene.

Inside the home, police discovered the bodies of three female victims, each with fatal gunshot wounds. A dog had also been executed in what prosecutors are calling an act of sheer brutality. The victims have been identified as:

• Hailey Hopcus, 24 (daughter/granddaughter)
• Jodie Hopcus, 49 (mother)
• Sherri Duncan, 73 (grandmother)

A single surviving victim, whose identity is being withheld, escaped the massacre and was able to raise the alarm, leading to Navarro’s eventual capture.

Unraveling the Deadly Dispute

According to investigators, the incident stemmed from a heated argument between Jodie Hopcus and her longtime boyfriend, Armando Navarro. Witness statements suggest that Navarro had been pleading to stay in the home, claiming he had nowhere else to go. However, Jodie, allegedly fed up with repeated arguments, demanded that he leave immediately.

As tensions escalated, Navarro retrieved a handgun instead of packing his belongings. What followed was a calculated massacre:

• Jodie Hopcus was shot in the arm as she tried to protect her daughter.
• When Navarro ran out of bullets, he retrieved a kitchen knife, momentarily holding it under his own chin as if contemplating suicide.
• Sherri Duncan, the family’s elderly matriarch, was already lifeless on the floor by this time.
• Navarro then executed Jodie Hopcus with a bullet to the head as she tried to flee.
• The family dog was shot and killed in what authorities believe was an act of control and rage.
• The surviving victim miraculously dodged a fatal shot as a bullet grazed her hair before she ran out of the house.

The Escape and Manhunt

After the rampage, Navarro fled the scene in a white 2020 Ford Expedition, registered to one of the victims. Authorities issued an immediate BOLO (Be On the Lookout) alert for the vehicle, triggering a multi-state search.

At approximately 2:00 a.m., Navarro called his son and chillingly admitted: “I killed them all.” His son immediately contacted authorities, providing crucial information that led to Navarro’s capture.

Apprehension in Kansas

Navarro was intercepted by the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department and the Kansas Highway Patrol in Abilene, Kansas after officers located the suspect’s vehicle parked in an abandoned lot. He was taken into custody without incident and extradited back to Missouri to face charges.

Legal Consequences and Charges

Navarro is currently being held without bond at the Dickinson County Jail and faces an array of felony charges, including:

• Three counts of First-Degree Murder (Felony)
• Four counts of Armed Criminal Action (Felony)
• One count of First-Degree Assault (Felony)
• One count of Animal Abuse (Misdemeanor)

Prosecutors have not ruled out the possibility of seeking the death penalty, citing the brutality and premeditated nature of the attack. His initial court appearance is expected later this week.

Community in Mourning

Friends and family have been left devastated by the sudden loss of three beloved women. A candlelight vigil has been scheduled for Friday, February 7, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at Miller Park in Kansas City, where loved ones will gather to remember Hailey, Jodie, and Sherri.

Neighbors described the family as close-knit and well-respected in the community. “This is a nightmare we never thought would happen here,” one neighbor said. “Jodie was always so kind. Sherri was the sweetest lady, and Hailey had her whole life ahead of her. We just can’t make sense of this.”

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities continue to piece together the timeline leading up to the killings. The Missouri Bureau of Investigation (MBI) is assisting in evidence collection, while forensic teams are processing the crime scene and Navarro’s vehicle for additional clues.

Investigators are particularly interested in any prior domestic violence reports involving Navarro. While there is no immediate record of restraining orders, friends of Jodie Hopcus have come forward to claim that Navarro had a history of controlling and erratic behavior.

How You Can Help

Authorities are urging anyone with additional information regarding the case to contact the Kansas City Police Department at (816) 234-5000 or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at (816) 474-TIPS.

As the community grieves, prosecutors vow that justice will be served for Hailey, Jodie, and Sherri. This developing case remains one of the most heinous domestic violence incidents in Kansas City’s recent history. More updates will be provided as the investigation unfolds.