Gun violence in Kansas City is rampaging. On Nov. 10 at the Independence Center five people were injured. On Nov. 12 a shooter was present at Oak Park Mall and no one was injured. Then the following Wednesday, an employee at a Rally House location in the Northland was shot during a shoplifting attempt.
The shooting at Independence Center left four people injured and a nineteen year old pregnant woman dead from injuries.
Surveillance video showed a group, including the woman who was pregnant, encountered a second group in the mall, one among them being MarkAnthony Greer. The two groups passed each other at the mall entrance, and a verbal argument ensued leading to a gun being shot.
The prosecutor’s office announced Monday afternoon that Greer faces multiple charges, including three counts of unlawful use of a weapon and three counts of armed criminal action. Two other people were arrested Friday and
have been released but are pending further investigation.
This shooting was the first of three over the span of a week.
Two days later two men were found shoplifting and walked into the food court where they were confronted by plain clothed police officers. In the struggle, the suspect, Gonzalez-Munoz, managed to remove the officer’s weapon from its holster and managed to fire a shot. Luckily no one was hit by a bullet and it embedded itself into the chair of a little girl.
The struggle ensued for five minutes both civilians and officers working together. Gonzalez-Munoz’s partner tried to escape after the shot was fired but was apprehended and taken into custody.
Gonzalez-Munoz is being charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, interference with law enforcement, aggravated endangerment of a child, battery on a law enforcement officer, endangerment, carrying a concealed weapon, theft, and unlawful discharge of a firearm in connection with the incident.
“We take these situations very seriously,” officials with Oak Park said. “In addition to our full-time third party security provider, we maintain a close working relationship with the Overland Park Police Department. Our security program is 24/7 and covers the interior and exterior of the property. We evaluate our protocols on an ongoing basis, making adjustments as necessary.”
The third shooting occurred at a rally house location in the Northlands. When a shoplifter ran away from the store a security guard pursued him, however the shoplifter shot the guard.
Bystanders Billy White and his wife were about to go into the next door Barbeque restaurant when they heard the shots. When the suspect ran White ran and helped the guard by calling the cops and making a tourniquet.
“I left Lowe’s and decided I needed some rub, so I was put here for a reason, man,” White said to Fox 4 News.. “I don’t know. I don’t know if what I did did any good, or what but…”
Fox 4 News asked White if he was the hero in the situation.
“Nah,” White said. “If I am, I am. I just try to stay humble, man.”
In light of these events the police warn citizens to stay safe and be aware of their surroundings as the holiday season approaches.
“There are people out there who like to take advantage of other people,” Liberty Police Sgt. Issac Hidy said to Fox 4 News. “People don’t think about it. They’re leaving their things out. They’re out with their families. They’re having a good time.”
