Tragic Incident in Kansas City: Firefighter-Paramedic Fatally Stabbed
In a shocking incident early Sunday morning, a Kansas City Fire Department paramedic, Graham Hoffman, lost his life after being stabbed by a patient he was transporting to a hospital. Hoffman, just 29 years old and known for his dedication to community service, was working overtime when the fatal attack occurred.
The assailant, Shanetta Bossell, had been released from custody just days prior after posting a $10,000 bond following an altercation in which she bit an off-duty officer and attempted to stab him. This pattern of behavior raises troubling questions about the effectiveness and safety of our judicial system, particularly regarding the release of individuals who pose a potential threat.
Just days after her release, Bossell fatally stabbed Hoffman while he was providing care during the ambulance ride to Saint Luke’s Hospital. The tragic irony here is almost palpable: a first responder, dedicated to saving lives, became a victim while attempting to help someone in distress.
In the aftermath of this grievous event, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas assured the public that measures would be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future. “We will do all we can to ensure that Graham’s family not only receives justice, but that all understand that our first responders, our paramedics, our police officers, our nurses, our physicians, everyone who gives care in our community, can be safe,” Lucas stated emphatically during a press conference.
Say his name: Graham Hoffman (29) – Kansas City FD paramedic. Killed in the ambulance by Shanetta Bossell WHILE ATTEMPTING TO HELP HER. She literally bit a cop last week. BUT WAS RELEASED ANYWAY. pic.twitter.com/LrkXZqu59s
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) April 28, 2025
According to reports from KMBC, Hoffman was critically injured around 1 a.m. while providing medical transport, with emergency responders and medical teams at North Kansas City Hospital unable to save him despite their best efforts.
The Kansas City Fire Department confirmed that Hoffman joined their ranks in 2022. His colleagues remembered him as a vibrant individual, passionate about his work and dedicated to serving his community. “He was a young firefighter-paramedic. Speaking with a lot of his classmates and folks that work with him today, he was very vibrant. Loved to travel, and he loved serving his community,” said Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.
In a community mourning the loss of a dedicated public servant, the tragic circumstances surrounding Graham Hoffman’s death underscore the urgent need for a reevaluation of policies surrounding the release of individuals with a history of violent behavior. As we reflect on this loss, it becomes clear that the very systems in place to protect us must be scrutinized to ensure the safety of those who serve on the front lines.
