In the early hours of Sunday, April 27, 2025, Kansas City lost one of its own in a tragic and senseless act of violence. Graham Hoffman, a 29-year-old firefighter and paramedic with the Kansas City Fire Department, was fatally stabbed while performing the very duties he had dedicated his life to: saving others. Hoffman, described by colleagues as a vibrant, kind-hearted professional with a passion for serving his community, was attacked by a patient he was transporting to a hospital, leaving his family, friends, and the entire city in mourning.
The incident unfolded just before 1 a.m. when Kansas City police responded to a call to check on a woman walking alone along Highway 152 near North Oak Trafficway in the Northland area. Identified as 38-year-old Shanetta Bossell, the woman was deemed in need of medical attention, prompting officers to request assistance from the Kansas City Fire Department. Hoffman and his partner, responding to what was described as a routine medical call, placed Bossell in an ambulance for transport to Saint Luke’s Hospital on Barry Road. It was during this journey, around 1:25 a.m., that the situation turned deadly. According to authorities, Bossell stabbed Hoffman in the chest, piercing his heart, in an unprovoked attack. The ambulance was stopped near Platte Purchase Road as Hoffman’s partner initiated an emergency response, and additional crews rushed to the scene to assist.
Despite the heroic efforts of his colleagues, Hoffman could not be saved. He was transported to North Kansas City Hospital, where lifesaving measures continued in the emergency room and through surgery. Tragically, Hoffman succumbed to his injuries in the intensive care unit, marking a devastating loss for the Kansas City Fire Department and the community he served. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, speaking at a news conference later that day, expressed profound grief and outrage, calling the incident “wholly unacceptable” and vowing to demand justice. “This should not have happened,” Lucas said, emphasizing the unimaginable pain inflicted on Hoffman’s family and the city.
Shanetta Bossell was taken into custody at the scene and now faces serious charges, including first-degree murder and armed criminal action. She is being held on a $1 million bond. Court records reveal that Bossell has a history of violent behavior, including an aggravated assault on a Kansas City police officer just days earlier, on April 23, 2025. Clay County Prosecutor Zach Thompson, who filed the charges, underscored the gravity of the crime, noting that Bossell’s actions robbed the community of a dedicated public servant.
Hoffman, who had been with the Kansas City Fire Department since 2022, began his firefighting career with the Belton Fire Department, where he quickly earned a reputation for his soft-spoken demeanor, wit, and genuine compassion. In a statement, the Belton Fire Department remembered him as a “genuine soul filled with tons of potential,” expressing heartbreak for his family and the Kansas City Fire Department. Fire Chief Ross Grundyson echoed these sentiments, describing Hoffman as an exceptional paramedic who treated his patients with the highest level of skill and empathy. “Graham was a vibrant individual who loved life and loved serving his community,” Grundyson said.
The Kansas City Fire Department honored Hoffman with a procession on Sunday, a somber tribute to a fallen hero whose commitment to helping others defined his life. Community members, fellow first responders, and city officials joined in mourning, with many reflecting on the risks firefighters and paramedics face daily. The incident has sparked broader conversations about the safety of first responders, particularly during medical transports, and the need for measures to protect those who put their lives on the line.
As Kansas City grapples with this profound loss, Hoffman’s legacy as a dedicated professional and compassionate caregiver endures. His death serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by first responders and the unpredictable dangers they encounter in their mission to protect and serve. The coming days will be marked by grief, but also by a collective resolve to honor Hoffman’s memory through continued service and a pursuit of justice for a life cut tragically short.
