KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Staley High School student died and two other students were injured in two separate shootings near the high school over the week.
In a letter to the Staley community, Principal Larry Smith shared that one male Staley student, 17, was seriously injured and another student was hurt in a shooting late Friday night near QuikTrip at Barry Road and Indiana Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri.
Police located the 17-year-old in the backyard of a residence around midnight. He was transported to an area hospital in critical condition.
Early Sunday morning, student Joseph Michael Bonacorso, 18, died in a shooting in the 1300 block of Northeast 119th Terrace. Police say the shooting was linked to domestic violence. An adult woman was also injured in the shooting and an adult male is in custody.
"This is a terrible loss, and these were awful tragedies that no family should ever have to navigate," Smith said in his letter. "Both incidents hit close to home, and we all share in the shock and grief in hearing this news."
Dealing with gun violence is not a new reality for the Staley community. Staley senior Ralph Yarl was shot last spring after mistakenly going to the wrong house while attempting to pick up his younger siblings. Hundreds of Staley students banded together at a unity walk in April to show their support for Yarl.
In light of the recent tragedies, Smith says the administrative team and staff is prepared to provide support to the Staley community.
"I know I speak for all of us when I say our hearts go out to our students and the families of all those impacted by this violence," Smith's letter read.
There will be an increased police presence at Staley High School to begin the school week to bring "peace of mind," Smith said.
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For jurisdictions that utilize the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline, anonymous tips can be made by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477), submitting the tip online or through the free mobile app at P3Tips.com. Tips leading to an arrest made through the Tips Hotline may be eligible for up to a $25,000 reward.
Annual homicide details and data for the Kansas City area are available through the KSHB 41 News Homicide Tracker, which was launched in 2015. Read the KSHB 41 News Mug Shot Policy.
