Arriving on what officers have said was a ‘routine medical call’, a paramedic ended up being killed in the back of his own ambulance by a patient.
Early last Sunday morning (27 April), Kansas City police had been dispatched to check on Shanetta Bossell, who was reportedly walking along the shoulder of a highway.
It is said her finger was cut and bleeding after she had been freed on bond two days before in a resisting arrest case.
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Clay County prosecuting attorney Zachary Thompson said at a news conference that the case had involved an assault on a law enforcement officer.
Graham Hoffman and his paramedic partner had arrived at the scene and were transporting her to hospital. However, the 29-year-old was stabbed by the 39-year-old, who then attempted to use the ambulance to flee the scene.
The driver heard Hoffman calling for help as he said Bossell had a knife. But once the driver stopped and pulled open the door, she reportedly heard the paramedic say: “She stabbed me in the heart.”
The woman then attempted to take control over the ambulance as she got into the driver’s seat and tried to flee. An officer had been following the ambulance and was able to wrestle her to the ground.
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The affidavit said that Bossell bit down hard on his arm and he used his firearm to hit her in the head to get her to let go.
A second ambulance raced to Hoffman to rush him to hospital. However, despite their best efforts, the firefighter paramedic tragically died in the intensive care unit.
Bossell has pleaded not guilty to the fatal stabbing and is awaiting her bond hearing on 5 May.
According to court records, she is facing charges of first-degree murder, armed criminal action, third degree assault on a special victim and resisting arrest for a felony.
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Thompson described it as a ‘horrific’ crime as he said during the conference: “Let me be perfectly clear.
“Our office will use all legal, moral, and ethical tools at our disposal to ensure justice for Graham, his family and the entire community.”
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said: “I expect and will demand justice. I never expected a line of duty death like this one.”
Hoffman had been with the Kansas City Fire Department as it paid tribute to him on Facebook: “Graham was a dedicated professional who loved serving his city. He will be greatly missed."
Jess Battison