KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas was at a press conference in St. Louis when supposed gun shots were heard being fired in the background.
The shots did not appear to be fired at the party and no one attending the conference was injured.
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones was also at the conference, which was about gun violence.
Jones was speaking when the supposed shots were heard.
"Isn't that wonderful," Jones said sarcastically as she was surprised by the noise.
She then continued on speaking.
"We want to cure the cycle of violence," Jones continued on to say. "It's gonna take all of us working together."
A reporter from behind the camera then addressed the gun shots.
"I can't ignore the gun shots. Do you feel safe standing here right now?" he asked.
Jones responded that she often hears gun shots because of the neighborhood she lives in in north St. Louis.
"It's a part of my life now," she said. "And it shouldn't be."
Lucas stood next to Jones as the conference continued. Later, Lucas said on Twitter he's not unfamiliar with the sound, either.
"The sound of gunshots is a regular occurrence in too many areas of [Kansas City] as well; something I grew to know from youth. Today’s shots reminded us of the reality so many of our sisters, brothers, and babies face each day and the need for change," the mayor wrote.
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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.
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.
