At least two individuals were critically injured in a shooting incident on Saturday outside a basketball game at a high school campus in North Kansas City, Missouri, as reported by officials.
Gunshots were heard “at the conclusion” of the game at North Kansas City High School, according to a statement provided to CBS News by the city. North Kansas City is located within the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Two Clay County Sheriff’s deputies, who were providing security for the game, responded to the entrance of the school’s football field, where they discovered a crime scene with one victim, the city stated.
It was later revealed that there was a second shooting victim, a juvenile, the city confirmed. Both victims were taken to local hospitals in critical condition, with the juvenile later being upgraded to serious condition.
The shooting took place outside the building where the game was being held, as mentioned in a message from the North Kansas City Schools district to families and staff.
“All attendees inside were instructed to stay indoors while law enforcement worked to resolve the situation safely,” the district stated.
Sgt. Christopher Kimmel of the North Kansas City police informed reporters in a news briefing on Saturday night that the shooting was believed to have occurred “outside the school by the fieldhouse.”
Witnesses reported seeing someone fleeing the scene, according to the city.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting were unclear, and investigators were still working to determine a motive, Kimmel mentioned. It was also unknown how many suspects were involved or if the incident was related to the game.
“We’re currently reviewing video footage to ascertain the exact details of the incident,” Kimmel stated. “We have witnesses that we are in the process of interviewing.”
The game was between North Kansas City High and Staley High, both within the same district.
“We want our youth to be able to enjoy a basketball game, and now we’re faced with lives being negatively impacted, likely in a senseless manner,” Kimmel expressed.
The shooting incident occurred less than three weeks after a deadly shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade. The February 14 event resulted in one fatality and 22 injuries, including many children. Two individuals have since been charged with murder.
