For Immediate Release

June 18, 2025

Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson today announced felony charges against a Kansas City man in connection with a fatal stabbing that took place last week near Midtown.

Johnny X. Holmes faces 2nd Degree Murder and one count of Armed Criminal Action. *

According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched to the area of 34th Street and Broadway Boulevard on June 12 regarding a cutting. They found the deceased victim with multiple lacerations. 

Surveillance footage showed the victim and the suspect walking separately near the crime scene before the homicide occurred. While the homicide took place outside the camera range, footage shows the suspect leaving the scene.

The investigation revealed another violent incident. Detectives identified an additional assault in the same general area with similar characteristics of last week’s fatal stabbing. Holmes was identified as a suspect in a prior assault and matched the description of the fatal stabbing suspect from the surveillance footage. 

When the defendant was taken into custody, he was wearing shoes with blood on them. Lab testing later confirmed that the blood matched the victim. In the defendant’s apartment, detectives found a pocketknife with blood on it and clothing that matched clothing worn by the suspect captured on surveillance footage.

The defendant is being held without bond. 

The investigation is ongoing.

*Charges are only accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or pleads guilty. 

# # #

Media Contact: 

Jazzlyn Johnson

Director of Communications 

Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office 

415 E 12th Street

Kansas City, MO - 64106

(816) 929-1289 

jazzlyn.johnson@jacksongov.org 

https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com