Since Kansas City stepped onto the World Cup stage this month, gun violence has repeatedly threatened to steal the spotlight.
On June 6, before matches even began, a shooting that injured nine people made international headlines because it took place about five miles from Swope Soccer Village, where England’s team has its base camp.
Takeaways
- During the World Cup, part of Kansas City’s role as a host city has been to tamp down worries about high-profile shootings.
- Kansas City’s gun violence death rates dwarf those in the home countries of the teams based here for the tournament.
- Health providers treat the physical injuries and the mental toll that come from violence. They also see working to prevent violence as part of their treatment plan.
On June 16, only hours before the city’s first World Cup match, one person was killed and four were injured when a gunman shot into cars that were driving along Truman Road and Interstates 670 and 70. One of the injured victims was an Uber driver taking Argentina fans to the stadium.
And on June 19, the night before the second local World Cup match, one person was killed and five were injured in a shooting near the city’s historic 18th and Vine Jazz District…