Marina
A shocking ambush occurred on March 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Kansas, when two vehicles—a blue Honda Civic and a gray Mazda—were intercepted at the intersection of 16th Street and Ridge Avenue.
Investigators say one of the vehicles was deliberately targeted by a group of armed assailants. The attack resulted in more than 200 rounds fired and left one man dead and two others wounded.
According to court documents released in an affidavit from Wyandotte County, the suspected shooter, Rene Najera, pulled a firearm from a backpack and coordinated with six or seven others who also retrieved guns from the same pack. The group then walked toward the blue Honda and unleashed heavy gunfire.
Key Facts & Figures
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of incident | March 26, 2025 |
| Location | Intersection of 16th Street & Ridge Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas |
| Vehicles targeted | Blue Honda Civic & Gray Mazda |
| Number of shots fired | More than 200 rounds |
| Number of firearms involved | At least seven different firearms identified |
| Fatalities | 1 man (driver of Honda) |
| Injured | 2 people (including Rene Najera) |
| Suspect charged | Rene Najera: first‑degree murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault |
Who Are the Victims and Suspects?
The driver of the Honda Civic, Anderson Murcia Cartagena, later died from his gunshot injuries at the scene.
Two others were wounded: the suspected shooter Rene Najera and Dalton Browning. Investigators say that neither Cartagena nor Browning fired any shots—Najera appears to be the primary shooter.
DNA testing linked Najera to a recovered .223‑caliber AR pistol found at the scene. Investigators believe the weapons came from the shared backpack carried by Najera and his associates.
The Sequence of Events: What the Affidavit Says
Why This Attack Stands Out
- The sheer volume of gunfire—over 200 rounds—marks this as an exceptionally violent incident.
- Use of multiple shooters and multiple firearms indicates a coordinated ambush rather than a spontaneous shooting.
- The ambush took place in a residential‑urban intersection, increasing danger to bystanders and property.
- The quick linkage of DNA evidence and weapon recovery signals intensive investigative work by authorities.
What’s Next: Legal and Community Implications
- Najera’s charges are serious: first‑degree murder carries the most severe penalties under state law.
- Investigators continue to look for the other individuals who retrieved weapons from the backpack and participated in the shooting.
- Community safety concerns rise: residents are demanding increased patrols, surveillance and investigative transparency.
- Legal experts note this case may lead to tougher local measures on illegal firearms and gang‑style violence.
This ambush in Kansas City, Kansas underscores the escalating severity of certain urban gun‑violence attacks. With over 200 rounds fired, multiple shooters and a fatality, the event stands out for its coordination and brutality.
The suspect, Rene Najera, faces first‑degree murder and other major charges, while investigators continue pursuing the other individuals involved.
