Woman critically injured during shooting at Kansas City’s Swope Park

A woman was in the hospital with life-threatening injuries Monday morning after she was shot in Swope Park in Kansas City on Sunday night.

Shortly before 9 p.m., officers responded to reports of shots being fired in Swope Park.

Arriving officers saw several vehicles fleeing at high speeds from the park’s main entrance at East Meyer Boulevard and Swope Parkway, according to Sgt. Kari Thompson, a spokeswoman for Kansas City police.

“After further investigation, officers discovered a female victim inside a vehicle with a gunshot wound,” Thompson said.

This victim was rushed to the hospital, and her injuries were life-threatening Monday morning.

“We are behind the Eight Ball, so to speak, on this,” Thompson said. “We need to know what happened.”

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

“This is a park where children and families go to have fun on Sunday,” Thompson said. “Unfortunately, violence again struck.”

Kansas City Parks and Recreation officials on Monday released a statement about the shooting.

“The Kansas City, MO Parks and Recreation Department was saddened to hear of the unfortunate event that occurred on Sunday evening,” the statement, from parks Superintendent Devin Wetzel, read in part. “The safety of our patrons is always a top priority and we will continue to work with the KCPD to provide safe parks and facilities.”

This story was originally published May 8, 2017 at 7:08 AM with the headline "Woman critically injured during shooting at Kansas City’s Swope Park."