KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Police are investigating a fatal shooting near the Uptown Theater Friday evening.
The shooting happened just as people were leaving the Uptown Theatre where Rapper Yo Gotti performed.
According to KCPD, officers responded to a parking lot at 37th and Broadway at 11:28 p.m.
Officers located a wounded person in the parking lot between Hamburger Mary’s and the Valentine Apartments. Paramedics pronounced the victim dead at the scene.
RIGHT NOW: @kcpolice & @JCSheriffOffice on scene of shooting outside @UptownTheater where @yogottikom performed.
Witnesses say they heard at least five shots. @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/hoVx5z4oCu
— Andres Gutierrez (@AFGutierrez) May 12, 2018
Witnesses told 41 Action News they heard at least five gunshots.
Nearby businesses were told to keep patrons inside as police investigated.
“One of my employees came over and said that something had happened in the parking lot and he thought that someone had gotten shot,” said Randy Humbird, the Manager at Hamburger Mary’s.
About 700 people attended the concert last night and Police urged concertgoers who witnessed the shooting to come forward.
"There is a possibility that this person attended this concert, so again we are pleading with our community to help us in this instance," Sgt. Kari Thompson said. "Please don't be a person who stands on the sidelines, call us, we need you. This victim has family and he meant so much to them so please help us solve this case."
The owner of the Uptown Theater says there was extra security at the event.
“We check everybody that comes in, we reduce the size of the bags, we wand everybody, we have good security inside,” said Larry Sells, owner of the Uptown Theater.
Sells says in the 24 years he has owned the theatre there has never been a shooting, but he says they’ll be increasing security efforts moving forward.
“We’ll step it up. Obviously, we are very concerned about this. You can’t be lackadaisical just because you haven’t had any problems,” said Sells.
Anyone has information regarding this homicide, call KCPD or the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).
