Janelle Monae’s cousin, Natasha Hays, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Kansas City, Kan., on Tuesday morning (Aug. 30).

According to The Kansas City Star, someone fired shots inside her home killing the 37-year-old mother of three children. Apparently, Hays was asleep in the house at the time. Her three children were not hurt in the shooting.

“She was a hard-working mother of three,” said Marco McElwee who is married to a cousin of the victim. “She did not deserve this. She did not deserve to be in the predicament she is in right now - for us to be in the predicament that we are in now.”

Police have no suspects or motive at this time but the investigation is ongoing.

Upon hearing the sad news of her cousin's death, Monae went on her Twitter account to mourn her loss and express frustration over gun violence in the black community.

"Gun violence has struck home. My beautiful 1st cousin was murdered. She was a mother of 3. Loved by her community," she tweeted. "#KansasCity #Gunviolence is still keeping our city in a dark place. The fear of "who is next?" never leaves. Praying4more light. Help us."

McElwee said Hays spent much of her time assisting others.

“[Natasha Hays] spent the majority of her time helping somebody else, and she ended up in a helpless situation,” said McElwee. “The community lost a good citizen, a good person.”

If you are in the the Kansas City, Kan. area and have information about the shooting, please call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

We want to send our condolences to Janelle Monae and the Hays family. May she rest in peace.

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