Kansas City, Kansas, police are looking for a dark-colored sport utility vehicle that left the scene of a shooting in the Turner area on Monday night, Oct. 31.
One person died and six were wounded in the shooting Monday night at a Halloween party at a home in the 1600 block of South 50th Street.
Police Chief Karl Oakman said at a news conference Tuesday that a preliminary investigation has determined there were four to six shooters, but the number of shooters is not known definitely yet.
There were from 70 to 100 persons at the costume party near South 50th and Elmwood, which is not far from Metropolitan, he said. Police received a call at 9:06 p.m.
Three to four individuals who were not invited to the party showed up, older than the others at the party, and were asked to leave by those in the house, he said. Most of those at the party were in high school and were 14 to 16, with some others up to 18.
As they were leaving, the older individuals who were not invited discharged their weapons, resulting in seven people being shot, and one died at the scene, he said.
The male victim who died was 17, while one of the victims at the hospital was 18 and other victims were 15 and 16, he said. One victim who went to the hospital has been released, with five others in the hospital in stable and non-life-threatening condition, he said. Names are not being released.
A parent was home at the time of the party, Chief Oakman said. There have been parties there in the past without any problems.
Some victims were outside when they were hit by gunfire and others were inside, he said.
Those who were at the party should come forward and talk to police, he said. Every bit of information, even if those attending do not think it is important, could be helpful, he said. Parents of those who attended should ask their children to come forward with information to assist, he said. They may call the police department at 913-573-6020. Persons may call the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS if they choose, and remain anonymous.
It’s important to come forward soon, he said.
“We need to work together to make sure we get these people off the street immediately,” Chief Oakman said.
He also said the party was peaceful until the incident with the individuals who were not invited.
Mayor Tyrone Garner lamented the tragedy, saying young people here should not have to be worried about not going home.
“We’ve got to do something about gun violence right here in KCK,” he said. “The police are only as good as the information they get.”
He also urged anyone with information to come forward to help get violent individuals off the streets, and he said the entire community is with the families of the victims.
District Attorney Mark Dupree said the district attorney’s office will do everything in its power to bring about justice in this case, but it cannot do it without the help of everyone who was there.
He complimented the police department, which was quick to arrive and take action.
“This type of behavior is unacceptable,” Dupree said about the shooting. It’s not OK. Parents of children who were there should speak to their children. Some children may need to see a therapist concerning traumatic experiences, and parents need to make sure they get help and counseling after the tragic event, he said.
Chief Oakman said the victim services unit at the police department will be available to provide counseling for victims. The police department stated the victim services unit would provide expedited compensation for counseling..
There is no evidence to support the idea that the shooting was gang-related, Chief Oakman said. At this time it is thought that it involved people who have issues managing their anger.
Chief Oakman said when party invitations go out on social media, sometimes they are passed on or seen by people who were not invited, and people need to be careful about their invitations on social media.