Patient who fatally stabbed KCFD paramedic charged with murder

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The woman accused of stabbing a Kansas City Fire Department paramedic who was trying to help her has been charged with murder.

The Clay County Prosecutor’s Office announced on Sunday evening that Shanetta Bossell, 38, of Kansas City, has been charged with murder in the first degree and armed criminal action as a result.

The Kansas City Police Department says that just after 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 27, emergency crews were called to the area of 152 Highway and North Oak Trafficway with reports of a woman, later identified as Bossell, walking on the highway. Callers had been concerned for her safety.

Responding officers said they located Bossell and ultimately requested EMS for further treatment. Transport to Saint Luke’s Hospital was started; however, around 1:25 a.m., she stabbed KCFD Firefighter/Paramedic Graham Hoffman, 29.

First responders said the ambulance was stopped on 152 Highway near Platte Purchase Rd. as officers and additional firefighters took Bossell into custody. Additional crews transported Hoffman to North Kansas City Hospital. The knife was recovered from the ambulance.

Unfortunately, the Kansas City Fire Department indicated that the knife pierced Hoffman’s heart. He succumbed to his injuries in the ICU at NKC Hospital.

If convicted, Bossell could be sentenced to spend the rest of her life behind bars. As of Sunday evening, she remains behind bars on a $1 million bond.

Bossell was arrested last Wednesday, April 23, after she allegedly bit a Platte City Police Department officer during a separate arrest. She was previously charged with assault and resisting arrest.

Judge Louis Angles reviewed the circumstances in the previous case and Bossell’s bond had been set at $10,000. She posted that bond before Saturday and was released.

“Despite the efforts of first responders and medical teams at North Kansas City Hospital, Firefighter Hoffman succumbed to his injuries. He was 29 and had served with the Kansas City Fire Department since 2022,” KCFD stated.

Earlier on Sunday, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas released the following statement on X, adding in additional tweets that the suspect has been identified. Mayor Lucas said he expects her to face “serious charges matching the grievous harm she caused to someone working to provide her emergency medical care.”

Kansas City leaders gathered on Sunday afternoon to discuss next steps in the investigation. Mayor Quinton Lucas took the time on Sunday to recognize the senseless tragedy.

“Graham was 29 years old, someone who had an exceptional life ahead of him, and he died doing something that was so impactful and important to all of us, serving the community,” Mayor Lucas told of the media. “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, his father, his sibling, his family and everyone in the KCFD family.”

City leaders promised they would stand steadfast next to Hoffman’s family as they prepare to lay the hero to rest.

“There are a lot of things that have happened since I became mayor a few years ago,” Lucas continued. “I never expected a line-of-duty death like this one. I never expected a violent criminal incident to bring this amount of pain to a family and community.”

KCFD leadership also said they stand alongside the Hoffman family as they grieve Graham’s loss.

“Graham was a vibrant individual who loved life and loved serving his community,” said KCFD Fire Chief Ross Grundyson. “He was an excellent paramedic. He treated his patients with the highest level of skill and comion. "

“This is a senseless act that has taken a young man from his family, friends and coworkers and deprived our city of a dedicated firefighter who only wanted to serve and protect those in his community.”

KCFD noted that funeral details will be provided in the coming days. The Hoffman family has asked for privacy at this time.

“We never want to get a call at 2:30 in the morning. We know what that could mean,” City Manager Kimiko Gilmore said. “But regardless of that, these firefighters were there for each other, they held each other and this is the type of excellence and the type of that all city employees demonstrate every single day.”

The Fire Department noted that grief counseling and will be offered to all in need. The Department’s thanks were also extended to North Kansas City Hospital and the Kansas City Police Department for their .

After charges were filed by the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office on Sunday, Mayor Lucas said he appreciated the swift action. He said 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.

In the meantime, I will continue discussion with KCFD, KD, and all of our first responders and emergency personnel to ensure we have reviewed our policies and provided every available tool to keep them safe as they protect all in our community.

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