Kansas City firefighter-paramedic dies after being stabbed in ambulance

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) - A Kansas City firefighter-paramedic has died after being stabbed by a patient he was transporting to a hospital on Sunday morning.

According to the Kansas City Police Department, KCFD crews were dispatched on a "routine medical call" just before 1 a.m.

KCPD said the call was for a welfare check after a woman was seen walking along the westbound lanes of 152 Highway.

When KCFD emergency responders arrived, they reportedly took the woman into the ambulance, but while en route to the hospital, the woman stabbed the firefighter-paramedic, later identified as Graham Hoffman, in the chest with an "edged weapon or sharp object."

Hoffman's partner stopped to help and take the woman into custody but was also assaulted by the patient.

Both firefighters were taken to a hospital, with Hoffman originally reported to have suffered life-threatening injuries and his partner reportedly having non-life-threatening injuries.

However, on Sunday at about 3 p.m., the City of Kansas City released a statement confirming he had died at the hospital. At a press conference Sunday afternoon, KCFD said that Hoffman was stabbed in the heart.

Hoffman was 29 years old and had served with KCFD since 2022. He usually worked out of KCFD Station #42 but was working overtime Sunday morning when he was fatally stabbed.

At this time, the woman, identified as Shanetta Bossell, is in custody. She was charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, assault and resisting arrest. She was being held on a $1 million bond.

Bossell was also in custody at the Clay County Detention Center earlier this week on April 23 and 24, and was out on bond when Hoffman was killed. She was charged in that incident with assaulting an officer, records show.

During a news conference Sunday afternoon, city leaders promised to support Hoffman's family as they navigate this unimaginable loss.

“There will be many steps ahead as we evaluate what happened, as we review what occurred, as we address whatever needs to happen in the future. But today, I'm focused on grieving for his mother, father, his siblings, his family, and everyone in the KCFD family. We know that we will stand with them not just today, but well into the future,” Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas explained.

"I appreciate the swift work by Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson in filing charges, including first degree murder and armed criminal action, in connection with the tragic murder of Kansas City Firefighter Graham Hoffman," Mayor Lucas continued in a statement.

"Like many, I share concern that the defendant had within the past week been arrested and charged by prosecutors with felony assault on a law enforcement officer only to, based upon the allegations, return as a serious threat to the public and first responders only days later. I believe in our justice system and will await further information about all that led to this heartbreaking incident and all that could have been done to avoid it."

The City of Kansas City said KCFD will be providing support to all employees impacted by the tragedy.

Later Sunday afternoon, KCFD Chief Ross Grundyson released a statement saying in part:

"It is with a heavy heart and great sorrow that I announce the death of Firefighter Paramedic
Graham Hoffman. Firefighter Hoffman was stabbed in the chest, piercing his heart, while
transporting a patient to a local hospital on what started out as a routine call. Firefighter
Hoffman's partner immediately initiated a crew emergency and additional KCFD and KCPD
personnel were dispatched to the scene. KCFD crews worked to save Firefighter Hoffman’s life while enroute to North Kansas City Hospital. Lifesaving efforts were performed in the emergency room prior to moving Graham to surgery. After surgery Firefighter Hoffman was placed in ICU where he succumbed to his injuries.

"Firefighter Graham Hoffman was 29 years old and was a member of the Department for three
years. Graham was a vibrant individual who loved life and loved serving his community. He was
an excellent paramedic who treated his patients with the highest level of skill and compassion.

"The Kansas City Fire Department grieves with Graham’s family, friends, and loved ones. This is a
senseless act that has taken a great young man from his family, friends, and coworkers, and
deprived our city of a dedicated firefighter, and a leader on and off the job who only wanted to
serve and protect those in his community."