A Missouri fire department paramedic was stabbed to death early Sunday by a patient he was trying to help.
Shanetta Boswell, 38, has been charged with first degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of the Kansas City Fire Department’s Graham Hoffman, 29.
According to KCTV, first responders were called shortly after midnight Sunday for a woman walking along a highway. Caller were concerned for her safety.
Police officers found Boswell and called for medics. An ambulance had begun taking her Saint Luke’s Hospital when she stabbed Hoffmann. The ambulance stopped, and Hoffman was taken to North Kansas City Hospital, where he died in the ICU. The knife, which pierced his heart, was found in the ambulance.
Police officers followed the ambulance as it left the scene and saw the vehicle pull over and the driver run to the back, where Bossell was struggling with Hoffman. She reportedly ran to the driver’s seat and tried to drive away, but was stopped by the officers. She bit one on the arm, the document says.
Around 1:25 a.m., the ambulance pulled over near Platte Purchase Drive with its emergency lights activated.
Court documents say officers saw the ambulance driver run to the back of the vehicle, where a struggle was underway between Bossell and Hoffman, KMBC reported. Bossell allegedly tried to drive away in the ambulance but was stopped by officers after a struggle, during which she also bit an officer on the arm.
“Despite the efforts of first responders and medical teams at North Kansas City Hospital, Firefighter Hoffman succumbed to his injuries. He was 29 and had served with the Kansas City Fire Department since 2022,” the fire department said.
Bossell had been arrested earlier last week after she allegedly bit a Platte City Police officer during another arrest, according to KCTV. She was released on a $10,000 bond, but now she’s being held on a $1 million bond.
“Graham was a vibrant individual who loved life and loved serving his community,” said KCFD Fire Chief Ross Grundyson. “He was an excellent paramedic. He treated his patients with the highest level of skill and compassion. “
“This is a senseless act that has taken a young man from his family, friends and coworkers and deprived our city of a dedicated firefighter who only wanted to serve and protect those in his community.”
