Saturday afternoon a man was shot on the Kessler Park Disc Golf Course during the 2022 Kansas City Flying Disc Challenge (KCFDC).

Just after 2 p.m., first responders were called to Kessler Park on a shooting.

Upon their arrival, it was determined the victim and three witnesses were playing in the KCFDC when the suspect, who is unknown to them, approached them, pointed a gun and shot the victim.

The suspect was taken into custody fleeing the scene by responding officers. That person remains in custody for further investigation at this time. The victim was transported to an area hospital in critical condition.

“First and foremost, the victim, his family and friends are foremost on our minds as a tournament staff and disc golf community,” organizer Michael Krueger shared on Facebook.

Jack Lowe, planner of the event, anticipated over 270 players from 21 states. Lowe has been instrumental in keeping the courses, and the parks, clean.

“I have defended Cliff Drive over and over and over,” Krueger said. “I have run many events at Cliff Drive. I have been proven wrong.”

The tournament staff and organizers are devastated by the events today at Kessler Park. Event planners attribute the shooting to a random act of violence.

“He was shot – but the medics and the police say that [he] should be okay,” Krueger said. “I am also told that the perpetrator was apprehended.”

The four round tournament was planned to play over two days on four different courses: Kessler Park/Cliff Drive, Water Works Park, Blue Valley Park and LaBenite Disc Golf Course.

All events at Cliff Drive are now canceled for the KCFDC. The remainder of the event will carry on without the rounds at Cliff Drive.