Children caught in gunfire fired by pack of ATV riders; KC police seek answers
A pack of ATV and dirt bike riders chased a vehicle carrying two children before opening fire late Saturday in Kansas City, injuring two adults, police said.
Police on Tuesday asked for the public’s help with the investigation, releasing surveillance photos of the group they believe chased the victims, hoping someone would recognize the riders and come forward with information.
Officers responded to the shooting shortly before 11:30 p.m. near East 27th Street and Indiana Avenue where they found two adults suffering from serious, but non-life-threatening gunshot wounds, said Sgt. Phil DiMartino with the Kansas City Police Department.
Both victims were taken to hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Inside the vehicle were two children, who escaped injury, DiMartino said.
Investigators say the ordeal began a few miles away, near East 18th Street and Grand Boulevard, where the victims first noticed the group of riders. There was an exchange between the victims and the group, but DiMartino said it was hard to say if it amounted to a disagreement or a confrontation, DiMartino said.
The pack chased the victims to to 27th and Indiana, where one or more of the riders opened fire into the vehicle, striking the adults, DiMartino said.
“We believe the shooter or shooters were within the group that we pictured,” DiMartino said.
Police urge anyone with information about the shooting to call the TIPS hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS (8477) or Kansas City Police Department’s assault unit at 816-234-5227.
The incident comes as police crack down on ATVs and dirt bikes performing stunts and illegal street racing. Earlier this month, officers assigned to address the illegal activity arrested nine people, towed eight vehicles including ATVs, issued 51 citations and broke up two sideshows.
