Beloved Hutchinson man shot and killed in KC, family remembers his bright spirit
Nov 18, 2024
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A Hutchinson family is left in pain after their loved one was shot and killed at his car dealership in Kansas City. A woman is now charged in his death.
Waleed Marwan Shaban was killed last week. His family is wondering why anyone would take the life of someone who had the most outgoing spirit in the room.
Waleed's sister, Randa Shaban Wilson, said the phone call that he had died had been hard to come to terms with over the last few days. A harsh reality.
"My heart just absolutely sank. It was just disbelief. I didn't want to believe it," said Randa.
Court documents allege that Kandi Galaviz shot Waleed after she had come to the car dealership to get items from a repossessed car. She has been charged with second-degree murder.
Randa said it is hard to understand why anyone would kill her brother, who, she said, always put others first.
"He brought lightness to the room. His role in our family was truly that lightness in the family. What a joy he was, what a light he was," said Randa.
Waleed played football at Hutchinson Community College. His family said he was active in the community and loved meeting new people. His uncle, Radwan Shaban, calls his nephew's death senseless, and the news he had been shot was paralyzing.
"You have this numb feeling from top to bottom. I was really, really numb," he said.
Radwan chooses to remember the good moments and hold onto uplifting times.
"He had this movie that he made that was like his trademark; this is one of the good memories that we have of him. Every time I think of him, I think of that movie. I think we all do. The movie was very special. He's going to be dearly missed," he said.
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Randa said Waleen had a way of connecting with people, and he did that for them one final time.
"Waleed brought us all together again. This is another opportunity for all of our family members to be together in one room, and Waleed was the one that did that this time," she said.
Waleed's cousin, Zoe Chaaban, questions why someone would take the life of his younger cousin. He said Waleed was the kind of person who would go out of his way to be a friend to anyone.
Relying on faith, hoping justice will be served for Waleed.
Randa said the outpouring of support from their community has been overwhelming and is one of the main things allowing them to get through this pain.