'Excellent job': With no arrests, KCPD board praises police on highway shooter search
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Commissioners praised KCPD for its handling of the highway shooter investigation.
- Deputy Chief Doug Niemeier reported homicides are down 21 percent year to date.
- Investigators are actively pursuing leads in three recent mass shooting cases.
Kansas City police Commissioners used their first public comments since a series of recent high-profile gun violence crimes, including a highway shooter who remains at large, to heap praise upon the department for their work.
Since the board’s last meeting, police have responded to a mass shooting that wounded nine people at an after-hours club on Troost Avenue, a shooting near the 18th and Vine Jazz District that left one person dead and five others injured. A gunman opened fire on motorists along Interstate 70 as fans were making their way to a World Cup match that left one person dead and four others injured.
Police leaders told commissioners Tuesday that investigations into the recent shootings remain active.
Board President Tom Whittaker praised officers for balancing World Cup operations with the department’s normal responsibilities, saying it was clear personnel were “stepping up” and filling in where they needed to during a demanding period for the city.
Commissioner Scott Boswell emphasized the importance of communication following high-profile incidents and praised the department’s handling of information during the search for Sanchez-Munoz.
“When bad things happen at the expense of good people, the key is to communicate and I know in particular with the highway shooter, the department did an excellent job through the press, and both locally and nationally,” Boswell said.
Boswell’s comments came days after the department faced criticism over its handling of information surrounding the interstate shootings. Several hours passed between the first reports of gunfire and the department’s public confirmation of the incidents.
Commissioner Madeline Romious acknowledged the recent violence while praising officers and civilian staff.
“We are not perfect,” Romious said. “We strive to provide a safe environment to everyone in the city.”
Statistics presented by Deputy Chief Doug Niemeier showed that homicides remain down 21 percent compared to the same point last year, but noted that June has seen an uptick in violence.
The city recorded 19 homicides during the month through Tuesday, compared with 18 during the same period last year, according to Niemeier.
Niemeier also reported a slight increase in nonfatal shootings this year. Through June 21, the city had recorded 164 nonfatal shootings, compared with 161 during the same period last year. The figures come as Kansas City has had multiple mass shootings in June despite the overall decline in homicides.
Investigations remain active
Police Chief Stacey Graves told commissioners that investigators continue to pursue leads in the three mass shooting investigations that have occurred since the board’s last meeting.
“These investigations are actively ongoing,” Graves said.
Investigators continue searching for Sanchez-Munoz, who police have accused of carrying out a series of shootings along Interstate 70 and other roadways that left one person dead and four others injured, as fans made their way to Kansas City Stadium for the FIFA World Cup game on June 16.
A June 6 shooting at an unlicensed after-hours club on Troost Avenue left nine people wounded. Police have not announced any arrests but said last week that detectives were nearing charges.
Less than a day after the Troost shooting, a double homicide occurred at a Westport QuikTrip. No arrests have been announced in the case.
Last Friday, a shooting near the 18th and Vine Jazz District left one person dead and five others injured following the Juneteenth festival on June 19. No arrests have been announced in that case.
This story was originally published June 24, 2026 at 1:02 PM.
