Latest news with #ClayCountyProsecutor'sOffice
New York Post
28-04-2025
- New York Post
Missouri firefighter paramedic dead after being stabbed in ambulance by patient: ‘Unfathomable crime'
A firefighter paramedic in Missouri was killed in the line of duty on Sunday after he was allegedly stabbed in the back of an ambulance while transporting a patient to the hospital. Kansas City Fire Department Fire Medic Graham Hoffman, 29, died on Sunday a few hours after he was stabbed in the chest by a patient being taken to the hospital following a routine medical call from police, the city of Kansas City said in a news release. Hoffman's partner 'initiated a crew emergency' after the stabbing and additional fire and police units responded to the scene, the city said. He was taken to North Kansas City Hospital, where he died in the Intensive Care Unit despite 'heroic efforts' from KCFD paramedics while taking him to the hospital and staff in the Emergency Room and surgery. 'His KCFD ambulance was an essential lifesaving tool,' the Missouri Division of Fire Safety posted on Facebook. 'But early this morning, Hoffman's ambulance became a crime scene and Hoffman a victim of an unfathomable crime – allegedly stabbed to death by a patient he was treating.' Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said Hoffman displayed the city's 'finest quality' through his 'selfless service for others.' 'That he was taken from us while working to save lives makes this loss all the more painful,' Lucas said, in part. 'This senseless act reminds us of the dangers our first responders face each day. The suspect remains in custody as the police department works with the Clay County Prosecutor toward charges. We will demand accountability be applied not just to the suspect, but also for any steps in the system that fell short.' 3 Kansas City Fire Department Fire Medic Graham Hoffman, 29, died on Sunday. Kansas City Fire Department Lucas said the city mourns with Hoffman's family, friends and the fire department, and asked that Kansas Citians keep the Hoffman family and the city's 'brave first responders' in their prayers. Interim City Manager Kimiko Gilmore also issued a statement sharing condolences for the 'unimaginable loss.' 'Today, we mourn the loss of Firefighter Paramedic Graham Hoffman, a brave public servant who dedicated his life to helping others. His courage, compassion, and commitment to our community will never be forgotten,' she said, in part. 3 The Clay County Prosecutor's Office announced charges on Sunday against Shanetta Bossell, 38, in Hoffman's death. Clay County Sheriff's Office Hoffman, who joined KCFD in 2022, was described by his department as 'compassionate, caring, loving and a leader on and off the job,' and a 'dedicated professional who loved serving his city.' The Clay County Prosecutor's Office announced charges on Sunday against Shanetta Bossell, 38, in Hoffman's death. Jail records show Bossell is facing three felony charges: first-degree murder, resisting/interfering with arrest for a felony and third-degree assault. She is also charged with armed criminal action, and her bond is set at $1 million. 3 Hoffman, who joined KCFD in 2022, was described by his department as 'compassionate, caring, loving and a leader on and off the job,' and a 'dedicated professional who loved serving his city.' KCFD Station 10 / Facebook Bossell was arrested on April 23 for allegedly biting a Platte City police officer and was charged with assault and resisting arrest in that instance, local outlet KCTV 5 reported. Judge Louis Angles reviewed that case and set Bossell's bond at $10,000, which was posted sometime before Saturday, according to KCTV. The Missouri Division of Fire Safety said 'hearts are heavy as our minds struggle to comprehend the incomprehensible.' 'Hoffman had committed his life to answering the alarm bell no matter the emergency, regardless of the circumstances,' the organization wrote. 'He was a lifesaver.'
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
FOX4's most clicked stories of the week: April 14-18
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Here are the top four stories FOX4 viewers clicked on from April 14 to April 18 on Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV Two major drug arrests were made over the weekend in Clay County, Missouri, after officers found fentanyl and other controlled substances. Wilbert Etier of Kansas City, Missouri, and Joseph Eismont of Gladstone, Missouri, are facing charges related to these incidents. The Clay County Prosecutor's Office stated that the amount of fentanyl seized was enough to cause 1,800 people to overdose. Both Etier and Eismont have a criminal history, with Etier being previously arrested for first-degree murder and domestic battery and Eismont for drug-related crimes. A Kansas City woman, Tkia Hill, reported that she was a victim of a local tow company now at the center of serious criminal allegations. The company's owner, Donald Adamson, and his mother, Lannette Adamson, each face nine felony charges for allegedly stealing cars across the area. Police allege the Adamsons were taking advantage of people and consider them 'dangerous.' Court documents say Donald and Lannette Adamson were hiding behind their tow business to steal cars and harass customers who tried to get their vehicles back. Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce's steakhouse, 1587 Prime, is set to open this summer at the Loew's Hotel in Kansas City. The modern American steakhouse will feature private dining rooms, a world-class chef's kitchen, and a jaw-dropping meat display. The street-level entrance will be designed to emulate a stadium tunnel walk, and the tabletops will have red marble accents. The restaurant will have two levels and 238 seats, including a 20-seat central bar, a private dining room, and a semi-private dining room. More than 400 patients have filed a class action lawsuit against the University of Kansas Health System, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, and Epic Systems Corporation after a physical therapist allegedly accessed private information, including potentially nude clinical photographs, without detection for over two years. The lawsuit alleges that the physical therapist had no connection to the patients and was not authorized to access their records. The lawsuit seeks stronger safeguards around patient data and accountability for those who failed to protect it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
20-02-2025
- USA Today
Man dies before sentencing in case of Black teen shot for ringing wrong doorbell
Man dies before sentencing in case of Black teen shot for ringing wrong doorbell An 86-year-old white Missouri man who shot a Black teenager after the teen mistakenly rang his doorbell has died while awaiting sentencing in the case, prosecutors announced Wednesday. Andrew Lester, 86, died weeks before he was to be sentenced in the shooting that left then-16-year-old Ralph Yarl with life-threatening injuries, the Clay County Prosecutor's Office said. The case sparked protests and national outrage in 2023 amid a rash of incidents in which innocent people were shot for mistakenly being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Lester had entered into a plea deal on Friday and admitted shooting Yarl in the forehead and arm. He pled guilty to two felony counts of first-degree assault and armed criminal action; Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson told reporters last week that he would seek a five-year prison sentence. Yarl's family said Wednesday that Lester's death "brings a mix of emotions, but it does not bring justice." "One of the reasons we pushed for a speedy trial was to ensure the public would see that our society does not condone shooting an unarmed, innocent child simply for ringing the wrong doorbell - especially when that child was targeted because of the color of his skin." the family said. "For nearly two years, Andrew Lester never apologized," the family added. "Instead, he and his attorney used every legal maneuver possible to delay accountability. Now, another Black child harmed by prejudice will never see the man who shot him face the full weight of the justice system. While Lester finally admitted guilt, it came at the very last moment - after two years of stalling. That delay leaves our family reeling." In other unrelated cases around the country at the time, those who made similar mistakes were either shot or killed. Kaylin Gillis, 20, was shot and killed after a driver pulled into the wrong property in New York State. Two Texas cheerleaders were shot and wounded after opening the wrong car door, thinking it was theirs. Brennan Walker was shot at, but not injured, after asking for directions to his school. Yarl's shooting also reignited the debate about "stand your ground" laws, which in several states allow a person to use deadly force in self-defense. Steven Salmon, Lester's lawyer, didn't immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment. The Clay County prosecutor's office said in a statement that it was aware of Lester's death. "We have learned of the passing of Andrew Lester and extend our sincere condolences to his family during this difficult time. While the legal proceedings have now concluded, we acknowledge that Mr. Lester did take responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty in this case," the prosecutor's office said. "Our thoughts remain with both families affected by this tragic incident as they continue their healing process." Yarl shot after ringing doorbell at wrong home Lester shot and injured Yarl on April 13, 2023, after the teen rang his doorbell. Yarl accidentally approached Lester's home in search of his younger brother's friend's house. Lester shot through the screen door and hit Yarl in the forehead and right arm, according to police records. The teen was released from a hospital days after the shooting. He told police he was "scared to death" because of Yarl's size and his own older age. Lester said he believed someone was trying to break in when he saw a tall Black man pulling on his front door. A police report on the incident said that Lester was "visibly upset and repeatedly expressed concern for the victim." At the time, Civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Lee Merritt, hired by Yarl's family, criticized the way police handled the case. Merritt called for the case to be investigated as a hate crime, but prosecutors never filed such charges. Contributing: Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY. Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at knurse@ Follow her on X @KrystalRNurse, and on BlueSky @
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Yahoo
Andrew Lester expected to change plea to guilty in 2023 shooting of KC teen Ralph Yarl
Andrew Lester, accused in the high-profile shooting of Ralph Yarl in Kansas City's Northland in 2023, is scheduled to appear in court Friday, the Clay County Prosecutor's Office said, where sources say he's expected to enter a guilty plea. News outlets, including the Associated Press, report several sources have confirmed that Lester is expected to change his plea at the hearing Friday afternoon. He previously pleaded not guilty to assault and armed criminal action charges stemming from the 2023 shooting. The hearing comes on the eve of Lester's trial in Clay County Circuit Court, which was scheduled to begin Feb. 18. Cher Congour, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office, said she was unable to give additional information about the hearing and said she could not confirm a report about the change of plea. Steven Salmon, Lester's attorney, did not immediately return a request for comment Thursday afternoon. In a news release, the prosecutor's office announced the Friday proceeding, describing it as a new hearing and saying that Yarl and his family would be present. The prosecutor's office said it would hold a press conference after the hearing. 'Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zach Thompson will discuss the case status, next steps and answer questions related to the process,' the office said. Lester, who is white, faces first-degree assault and armed criminal action charges in the shooting of Yarl, who is Black, after the teen mistakenly went to the wrong home in Kansas City's Northland to pick up his brothers in on April 13, 2023. The shooting grabbed national attention, with many raising outcry about the shooting being racially motivated. Activists, politicians and family of the teen pointed to the case as one of 'ringing a doorbell while Black.' A trial for Lester was expected to draw a swarm of both local and national media attention to the Clay County Courthouse in Liberty starting next week. Lester is accused of shooting Yarl after the teen rang the doorbell at Lester's home in the 1100 block of Northeast 115th Street. Yarl, who was 16 at the time, had gone to the wrong street and home as he was trying to pick up his younger brothers. Lester, then 84, told police he went to his front door armed with a gun after he heard the doorbell that night. He said he saw a Black male through the glass front door and 'was scared to death' because of his size, Lester's age and 'inability to defend himself,' according to court documents. Lester told police he saw someone at his door and thought they were trying to break into his home. He said he shot twice within a few seconds of opening the door. No words were exchanged between the two before he fired, he said, according to court documents. Yarl was shot in the head and arm, but survived his injuries. Yarl later told detectives, according to court documents, that he recalled being shot 'immediately' and falling to the ground. Then a second gunshot was fired, striking him in the arm, he said. After being shot, Yarl said he heard the man say: 'Don't come around here.' Then Yarl said he he got up and ran 'to keep from being shot' again, according to court documents. He tried to get help from 'multiple residences' and asked for someone to call 911, he told the detective. Lester wasn't charged until four days after the shooting. Civil rights attorneys hired by Yarl's family previously had, along with others, called for Lester to be charged with a hate crime. Lee Merritt, a civil rights attorney representing the Yarl family, also previously said the teenager was shot 'because he was armed with nothing other than his Black skin.' Lester's trial originally had a scheduled start date in October, but the proceedings were pushed back after his attorney, Steven Salmon, raised concerns about his client's mental state. In court filings, Salmon said it was clear to him that Lester, now 86, lacked the ability to assist in his own defense. Salmon said Lester was in frail physical health and that he had seen a 'marked reduction' in his client's mental acuity, noting that during trial preparation, Lester had shown 'significant difficulties' in his interactions with his attorney. The judge overseeing the trial pushed back the date while Lester received an evaluation by the state's Department of Mental Health. The results of that assessment were not made public but the trial proceedings moved ahead, which meant Lester was found fit to proceed to trial. Since the shooting, Yarl graduated from Staley High School and started college.
