The back door of the Northeast News, which was hit by a stray bullet on the night of Wednesday, August 24.

By Paul Thompson

Northeast News

August 25, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Missouri – Just before midnight on Wednesday, August 24, KCPD officers were dispatched to the 5500 block of St. John on a reported shooting.

According to KCPD call notes, a victim who appeared to be in pain was originally located by officers outside of a convenience store along St. John Avenue. The victim was bleeding from his right upper thigh, with blood trickling down his leg. EMS arrived on scene shortly and stabilized the victim.

The victim stated that he wished to aid in prosecution, and he led officers to a nearby home on Topping Ave. to check the residence for a potential suspect. He told authorities that the incident occurred while he was riding his bicycle down the east/west alleyway behind the Northeast News. He stopped to speak with some friends, at which time he told police that a bullet hit his jacket. The victim then told officers that he began to run, but was struck in the right thigh by a bullet. Despite the wound, he made it two blocks to west to the convenience store pay phone.

The victim told officers that he was shot by a short Caucasian male.

Because it was pouring down rain at the time that the officer’s arrived, authorities were unable to locate shell casings. The back door of the Northeast News building, however, appeared to have a bullet hole through the screen and glass. Broken glass was found along the back porch. The interior door was not penetrated, and the outer door remained locked. Northeast News owner Michael Bushnell was contacted and responded to the scene, where he signed a consent to search form and let KCPD personnel into the building.

Bushnell added that he was happy with the diligence and response of the Dogwatch officers.

“Initially I thought there was dissatisfaction with this week’s editorial, but that was not the case,” Bushnell said. “Kudos to the PD for seeking me out, because it was a chore.”