A Kansas City man recently posted a TikTok video claiming that a Target store in his city is the “scariest” in America. He said that every time he visits the store, he gets the “heebie-jeebies.” The video quickly gained attention online, with many people sharing their own experiences and memories tied to the location.
The reason behind the fear goes back to 2007, when 18-year-old Kelsey Smith was abducted from the parking lot of that very Target store. She had gone there to buy an anniversary gift for her boyfriend when Edwin Hall took her. Her body was found four days later in a wooded area near Longview Lake.
After Kelsey’s disappearance, her family had to fight with Verizon to get her phone records, which eventually helped locate her. That battle pushed the Smith family to advocate for legal change, leading to the passage of the Kelsey Smith Act in over 30 states. The law requires phone companies to share location information with law enforcement in emergency situations.
The Kelsey Smith Act turned a family’s grief into a legacy that continues to protect lives across the country
The man in the TikTok video said he remembers being around the same age as Kelsey when the incident happened, and that the memory has stuck with him ever since. His video opened up a wave of responses from people who also have personal connections to the story. Kansas City has seen its fair share of shocking viral moments, like when a Kansas City woman found something unexpected in her food, but this story cuts far deeper for locals.
One commenter wrote, “yeah that’s why my mom was so scared of parking lots throughout my childhood.” Another shared, “The last time I was at this target a man was tackled by police right behind me and the place went on lock down. I’ve never been back.”
In an interview with KSHB 41 News on the 15th anniversary of Kelsey’s murder, her parents Greg and Missey Smith spoke about the lasting pain of losing their daughter. Missey said, “Fifteen years feels like yesterday in some ways. It’s a weird feeling. It can feel just like yesterday, and then there are times where it feels like, ‘Wow, it’s been a long time.'”
Greg added, “It’s a bittersweet fight for us. She’s just our kid. We miss her every day, but we’re also proud of the work we’ve done to try to make a difference.” The couple has continued to push for change beyond the legislation, establishing the Kelsey Smith Foundation, which works to empower families, friends, and communities to protect young people.
Social media has also played a growing role in surfacing local stories that might otherwise go unnoticed, much like when a Kansas City woman confronted her date about his criminal past after finding troubling information online.
Missey has also made clear that the fight is far from over, saying, “I’m not giving up; I won’t give up.” The Smith family’s work has kept Kelsey’s memory alive while pushing for real, practical changes in how law enforcement can respond to emergencies involving missing people.
Published: Apr 23, 2026 12:50 pm