Kansas City Mass Shooting Tip Line Sees Low Call Volumes
Victims Disappointed as Prosecutors Seek More Witnesses
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (HERE NEWS) – When the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office set up a hotline for tips from witnesses, they likely hoped for more calls than they’ve gotten so far. That has victims disappointed as they wait for justice in hopes authorities have every tool they need to hold the shooters accountable. Because there could be a lot more out there unknown to investigators.
Low Call Volumes Despite Thousands at Scene
Tens of thousands of people were crammed in the space outside Union Station when this happened, but so far the Prosecutors Office has only received a little more than a dozen calls to their hotline. Jacob Gooch is just one of the more than 20 people known to be shot, leaving him unable to walk because of what it did to his left ankle.
“I can’t put weight on my foot for 3-6 months,” Gooch explained. “Every month I’ll be re-evaluated but as that goes I can’t go back to work until I put weight on my foot so that’s at least three months.”
Prosecutors Urge More Witnesses to Come Forward
As of the start of this week, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office announced, “We’ve had more than a dozen phone calls to the hotline. The prosecutor’s office continues to maintain a hotline number for persons who want to call and talk to someone. The number is 816-881-1540.”
Gooch believes there must be more people out there who have helpful information or caught something on their phone. “Please help us because the more information they can get, the better justice can be served,” Gooch pleaded. “So if you know something because a lot of people were impacted and hurt so I need your help.”
Importance of Reporting Even Minor Injuries
Even if you were injured by something unrelated to gunshots, investigators still want to hear from you. Especially if you’re unsure. In Gooch’s case, they didn’t know his son was shot in the foot until they were in the hospital.
“We just thought he stepped in something, so we just wrapped it up and never knew it was a bullet,” Gooch said. “If you’ve got any type of cuts or abrasions on your body you should probably get that checked out because charges need to be filed if you were hurt.”
Hopeful for Justice
Jacob and his family are hopeful the more people who call the hotline will lead to more tools for prosecutors to get his family and all other victims justice. The Kansas City Police Department also has a hotline for victims or witnesses to call. That number’s 816-234-5043.