At least 2 wounded in shooting outside high school basketball game near Kansas City
At least two people were critically wounded in a shooting outside of a basketball game on a high school campus in North Kansas City, Missouri, officials said.
Details of the Shooting
Shots were heard "at the conclusion" of the game at North Kansas City High School, the city said in a statement provided to CBS News. North Kansas City is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Two Clay County Sheriff's deputies who were providing security for the game itself responded to the entrance of the school's football field, where they found a crime scene with one victim, the city said.
It was later learned there was a second shooting victim, a juvenile, the city said. Both were rushed to local hospitals in critical condition. The juvenile was later upgraded to serious condition.
Location and Response
The shooting occurred outside the building where the game was being played, the North Kansas City Schools district said in a message it shared with families and staff.
"All guests inside were asked to stay indoors while law enforcement worked to resolve the issue safely," the district said.
North Kansas City police Sgt. Christopher Kimmel told reporters in a news briefing Saturday night that the shooting was believed to have taken place "outside the school by the fieldhouse."
Investigation and Unknowns
Witnesses told police that someone was seen running from the scene, the city said.
The circumstances of the shooting were unclear, and investigators were still working to determine a motive, Kimmel said. Also unknown was how many suspects were involved, or whether the incident was connected to the game.
"We're reviewing video right now trying to figure out exactly what we have," Kimmel said. "...I think we do have some witnesses that we're currently trying to interview."
Recent Shootings in Kansas City
The incident comes less than three weeks after a deadly shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade. The Feb. 14 shooting left a woman dead and 22 people wounded, including many children. Two suspects have since been charged with murder.
These alarming shootings highlight the need for increased security and precautions at public events, especially those involving schools and large gatherings.
Efforts must be made to ensure the safety and well-being of attendees, and thorough investigations should be conducted to identify and apprehend those responsible for these acts of violence.
