A Kansas City firefighter-paramedic was alleged stabbed to death by a patient he was transporting to a hospital over the weekend.
Kansas City firefighter-paramedic stabbed by patient
According to city officials, 29-year-old Graham Hoffman sustained a fatal stab wound to the chest during what initially appeared to be a routine emergency medical response in the early hours of Sunday, April 27.
Hoffman had been riding in the back of an ambulance with a patient at the time of the incident.
The Kansas City Fire Department reported that fellow emergency personnel attempted life-saving measures while en route to the hospital.
Hoffman was rushed into surgery upon arrival but ultimately died as a result of the stab wound.
Authorities identified the suspect as 39-year-old Shanetta Bossell. She has been charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.
The Clay County Prosecutor’s Office has requested her bond be set at $1 million and is still behind bars, according to reporting by KMBC.
Prior to the fatal encounter, Kansas City police had come across Bossell on the side of a roadway, suffering from a deep laceration to her finger.
A probable cause statement cited by KSHB-TV noted that officers had initially offered her a ride home. However, Bossell later consented to being taken to a hospital by ambulance.
During the ambulance transport, the suspect allegedly “produced an edged weapon” and used it to stab Hoffman, according to a city news release.
Partner of Kansas City firefighter-paramedic recalls incident
Hoffman’s colleague, who was driving the ambulance at the time, described the horrifying scene in an interview.
He recalled hearing Hoffman instruct the patient to return to her seat, followed shortly by his cry for help.
The driver reported that Hoffman shouted, “She stabbed me in the heart,” moments after the incident occurred.
While the driver attempted to provide aid, police officers engaged Bossell and worked to subdue her, the report added.
Hoffman was later pronounced dead at the hospital that same afternoon.
Hoffman had been a member of the Kansas City Fire Department since 2022 and had been working an overtime shift when the incident took place, KMBC reported.
Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins reflected on the paramedic’s character and dedication to service.
“He was a young firefighter-paramedic,” Hopkins told KMBC. “Speaking with a lot of his classmates and folks that work with him today, he was very vibrant. Loved to travel, and he loved serving his community.”
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas also issued a public statement on the tragedy.
“At just 29, Graham embodied Kansas City’s finest quality — selfless service for others. That he was taken from us while working to save lives makes this loss all the more painful,” Lucas said.
He further added that city leaders would seek ways to improve protections for frontline workers.
“We will do all we can to ensure that Graham’s family not only receives justice, but that all understand that our first responders, our paramedics, our police officers, our nurses, our physicians, everyone who gives care in our community can be safe,” Lucas stated.
Suspect attacked another first responder the same week
Investigators have also linked Bossell to a separate violent encounter with a first responder that took place earlier the same week.
On Wednesday, she allegedly assaulted a Platte City police officer after attempting to enter his personal vehicle, KSHB reported.
The officer, who was in uniform at the time, told Bossell to leave the property.
When she instead advanced toward his home, he attempted to restrain her by the arm.
According to the report, Bossell made several attempts to grab a knife secured in the officer’s vest.
As the officer tried to call for backup, Bossell allegedly bit his arm and refused to release her grip.
Following the incident, prosecutors charged her with second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest.
Both offenses are classified as felonies, but Bossell was released on bond two days later, on Friday.
The probable cause affidavit for the earlier assault concluded with a warning about Bossell’s potential threat to others.
“Due to the violent nature of the incident, Bossell should be considered a danger to the public,” the document read.
