KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department is investigating an alleged pellet gun shooting early Sunday morning outside Fountain Haus.
A police spokesperson says officers were asked to respond to the club, located at 401 Westport Road, around 1 a.m. Sunday after someone who was in a line to enter the bar reported pain in their arm and suspected they had been struck by a pellet gun.
As of Monday morning, it remains unclear if any additional victims may have been struck. It’s also unclear if the alleged shooter targeted the victims waiting in line to enter the club, which is LGBTQ+ friendly.
Because the alleged shooting could involve a hate crime, KCPD says it is working with the FBI.
Additionally, a police spokesperson says the department’s LGBTQ+ liaison officer has been in contact with Fountain Haus management regarding future safety at the bar.
KCMO LGBTQ Commission Chair Justice Horn tells KSHB 41 he is happy with the response from law enforcement.
“I want people to know we are aware of this. We are on it,” Horn said. “And our state, local and federal partners are going to get to the bottom of whoever did this and hold them accountable. And that’s for not only them but anyone that chooses to harm our community during this time of celebration.”
Horn says with the upcoming Pride parade and other parties planned for this weekend, the timing of the alleged assault is disheartening.
“It was still meant to harm us, to create terror and to make folks not feel at home here in Kansas City,” he said. “It’s definitely tough for people to show up in community when this is what’s happening. We want to be transparent and know that we are working on this and that people should come out and be in their community because they are part of this community.”
Police are asking anyone in the area around the time of the alleged incident to contact assault detectives at 816-234-5227 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.
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