Shootings linked to illegal street racing event wound seven, Kansas City police say
Seven people were shot in three separate locations early Sunday following altercations that broke out during illegal street racing in eastern portions of Kansas City, police said Monday.
Police said the injuries ranged from minor to life-threatening. There were multiple shooters at different locations, police said.
More than 1,000 people and hundreds of vehicles gathered at an illegal racing event around 9 p.m. Saturday in the 7100 block of Eastwood Trafficway. Officers arrived and broke up the crowd but numerous disturbances occurred at various locations after the groups left and then congregated again elsewhere.
Multiple officers responded to simultaneous shootings about 12:30 a.m. at 3801 Blue Parkway, and at Coalmine Road and Manchester Avenue in east Kansas City, near Interstate 435. Several gunshot victims arrived at a hospital soon afterward, police said in a press release.
Officers located a large crime scene that stretched from Blue Parkway and Colorado Avenue and spanned to Coalmine Road. They spoke with many witnesses, all of whom said there were hundreds of vehicles and spectators for street racing on Coalmine Road, police said.
Just before 1:30 a.m. an off-duty police officer working security alerted dispatchers that a group of street racers showed up at a convenience store in the 6500 block of Front Street.
Additional officers were called to clear the parking lot after about 100 vehicles arrived. Someone in the crowd fired several shots as the parking lot was cleared. No one was injured, police said.
Police said they are unsure if anyone was struck by the gunfire. Officers tried to pull over a vehicle but the driver refused to stop and sped northbound on Interstate 435. A vehicle pursuit ensued, reaching speeds up to 100 mph, according to Kansas City police.
The chase ended at Shoal Creek Parkway after Claycomo police deployed devices that disabled two of the vehicle’s tires.
Police arrested the 20-year-old driver. Two 19-year-old passengers also were inside. Officers recovered a gun from the vehicle and are investigating which occupant fired the weapon, police said.
Anyone with information should call the Tips Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).
