Intense hunt for female fugitive heats up at KC

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A woman who police say may be involved in five homicides and recent gang violence has escaped arrest in part because people who know her are afraid of her.

And Kansas City police say they are concerned that Shauntay L. Henderson, 24, may be back in the city looking for other targets, after fleeing to Iowa to escape a murder charge. She may have shaved her head and begun dressing like a man to avoid arrest, police said Tuesday.

Police have submitted paperwork to the FBI, asking the agency to consider putting Henderson on their most-wanted list. If she is added, the reward for information leading to her capture would increase to $50,000.

Besides the five homicides, police believe Henderson may be involved in up to 50 shootings. Police say she and her gang affiliates are responsible for several of nine shootings believed to be gang-related that have occurred in Kansas City since Feb. 28.

Police say she has such a reputation that even her enemies won't share what they know.

"We've had people shot and they don't say a word, then we hear inklings she's responsible," said Sgt. Richard Sharp of the assault squad, one of several police units working to find Henderson.

Police had received no tips on Henderson until publicity this month brought in a few calls to police. She charged in a warrant last week with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

Police believe Henderson may be after at least three more rivals. She may think some shot at her relatives last year or is targeting others because they were rivals of one of her closest friends, Steve L. Wright, Jr., who was recently sentenced to federal prison for three murders and other crimes.

Henderson is believed to be the leader of the 12th Street gang, which is linked with the 51st Street gang to make more money in criminal ventures, police said. Those two gangs are feuding with other gangs, police said.

"So-called tough gang members are doing her bidding and are afraid to challenge her or come forward," said police Sgt. Rob Hargarten of Kansas City's fugitive unit.

And Hargarten said Henderson's family has been "very uncooperative" in finding her.

Henderson was charged with second-degree murder in September. According to court records, she shot DeAndre M. Parker, 20, as he sat in a pickup truck in mid-afternoon in a convenience store parking lot.

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Information from: The Kansas City Star, http://www.kcstar.com