Kansas City considers new gas station ordinances as shooting injures three

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Three people are recovering after a shooting at a Kansas City gas station on Tuesday night.

The shooting happened at 31st and Brooklyn, off Highway 71. One of the victims was seriously injured, police said.

Police have not named a suspect or released details about what led to the shooting.

The incident adds to a pattern of gas station shootings that has prompted city officials to take action. This summer, officials held an emotional press conference less than a mile away at 35th and Prospect to address these crimes.

Steven Huckaby, who lives nearby, said he heard 10 to 15 gunshots Tuesday night.

“It was definitely quite a surprise. It was very loud. It was just right there,” Huckaby said.

The shooting changed his routine. Huckaby said he used to walk his dogs around the block, but now goes the opposite direction.

“Do you feel safe here? Yes and no. I have dogs. And if I want to take them for a walk, I usually drive them that way,” he said.

Lace Cline, the city’s director of public safety, said shootings like this prompted the creation of two new ordinances addressing drug and alcohol sales at gas stations.

“So what we’re doing is we’re trying to better regulate places where people congregate and these places attract a certain demographic through selling certain types of products,” Cline said.

To be clear, police have not said if drugs or alcohol were related to this most recent shooting. But Cline said she has noticed a pattern in similar crimes and believes the ordinances would help prevent violence.

“What tends to happen is you have single-serve alcohol, and the minis tend to be at a very low price point as well, making it easily accessible,” Cline said. “So, people can come in, or if you’re loitering outside of a business, well, it’s easy to get $2.00. You go get some minis, then you stand outside, get some more money, you keep going. And then eventually you’re intoxicated and conflict tends to happen.”

Huckaby said he has witnessed such instances firsthand.

“Sometimes I’ll hear shouting. And it seems like there’s, tends to be a lot of arguments. And that’s usually what causes gunfire shortly after, usually,” he said.

Cline said the city plans to introduce the alcohol sale ordinance later this month or early February.

“No one should have to live in fear,” Cline said.

Police have not released any further details about Tuesday night’s shooting.