Shooting in Kansas City: Getting the facts

Terrible news — not long after after Kansas City police exchanged shots with a man in south Kansas City, a man fitting the same description walked into a nearby mall in south Kansas City and opened fire.

I was watching WDAF, Fox 4, the Fox-owned affiliate, at 4:42 p.m. when it broke into NASCAR race coverage to cut to its live reporter with the news that five people were shot and two people dead. In the background, a grisly image of the Starbucks' plate glass windows all shot out.

Anchor Tom Lawrence added a detail that revealed the kinds of choices news producers must make when news breaks: The station had waited until Jeff Gordon could safely be declared the win of that afternoon's NASCAR race before they broke in with the news.  (In fairness to Fox 4, there was several minutes of mostly waiting around for the race to restart, during which one must assume they would've interrupted had the reporter been on the scene.)

KMBC-9 ran a crawl at 4:44 saying that "multiple crews" were headed to the scene and that "there is no known information at this time," which wasn't true if you were watching Fox or reading KansasCity.com (where the first story posted at 4:38 p.m.). On Monday, KMBC news director Michael Sipes added: "We broke into coverage at 4:22pm with Larry Moore, Johnny Rowlands in the Helicopter and Marcus Moore on a live van and Chris Nagus on the phone.  Coverage then stopped at 4:33pm, because we needed crews to work the story out there."

 At 5 p.m., three out of four stations were live on the scene.

KCTV-5's Tom Wait reported four shot and two dead including the shooter, and claimed KCTV had been on the scene first. While he talked, KCTV showed electric video taken earlier, buttressing Wait's claim: cop cars racing into Ward Parkway center, cops running around, as well as video of a dozen red-shirted Target employees gathered nervously in the parking lot. (CNN would make heavy use of this video later on.) Photog Andrew Zimmerman took that. Then came the eyewitnesses, the most compelling of them Queea Miller, a woman parked just two cars down from the suspect, who ducked in terror and listened as the popping of the firearm grew more distant, and was soon replaced by the sound of police sirens, after which time she and her daughter dashed into a Pier 1 store. Another eyewitness said he heard shots and a man running by with blood on his face.

KCTV's Surae Chinn stood on the mall's north end, with Target as her backdrop. She and others would comment on what a wild, chaotic scene had developed at the mall. And soon details would trickle out that the terror had spread rapidly to all corners of the Ward Parkway Center in just a few minutes, as the shooter roamed the corridor.

Our first clue of this was the news stations could not immediately nail down where the shooting, or shootings, actually took place. While Fox 4 said it was a Starbucks, video of the scene clearly showed it was a mall entrance, not a store entrance, whose glass was shattered by gun blasts.  The eyewitnesses that spoke on the phone and on camera to news stations all came from the Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse, which is to the south of the entry door. Still others inside the Target store, at the north end of the mall, and the Dillard's store at the south end, would report hearing gunshots. A single, fairly short corridor connects the stores in Ward Parkway Center.

Facts poured in from eyewitnesses. The cineplex at the other end of the mall shut down, police officers running in and telling moviegoers to get out. Target employees gathered in the parking lot, all safe and accounted for. An "air-conditioned city bus" became an interview area, as eyewitnesses were herded in to talk with police. Frantic parents arrived at the mall from all directions, looking for loved ones. Reporters and anchors begged onlookers to stay away from Ward Parkway Shopping Center.

Helicopters buzzed overhead. KMBC-9 and Fox 4 started covering the crime scene from overhead. They would be joined by KCTV's chopper and, eventually, KSHB. KMBC-9 went to a split scene so it could continue covering the NBA playoffs ... and I had a flashback to the white Bronco chase.

KSHB, aka "NBC Action News," was MIA until 5:20, as the station continued to cover a double overtime hockey game. And then all they had, at first, was a single reporter at the gas station where the police officer was shot.

KSHB news director Debbie Bush emailed Monday: "Just so you know…we broke into the hockey game (I have the angry e-mails to prove it) between 4:30 and 4:45 with live pictures and reporter from the mall.  We were not MIA."

By 5:26 p.m., every station was taking a breather. Even KCTV signed off "a little bit early," said co-anchor Karen Fuller, in order to get through a backlog of commercials ... before returning at 5:30 to continue covering the carnage. As I said, I don't envy the choices news producers have to make.

At 5:29 KMBC is back, saying that "as Johnny Rowlands has been showing you all afternoon long," which I guess means the past 29 minutes.

At 5:30 KCTV is confirming that three are dead, including the suspect, gunned down by a KCMO police officer. Two of the dead were shot in the parking lot. It's also possible additional victims drove themselves to the hospital. Surae Chinn reminds us that "there's still a lot we have not confirmed," including the cop shooting link.  There is the remarkable detail that police — security guards? — were ordering moviegoers out of the plex just moments after they heard the pop of gunshots. Things seemed to be happening at incredible speed, or else witnesses are condensing their timelines.

But as Chinn's talking, 10 feet away from her, KCMO police spokesman Sgt. Tony Sanders is talking to KMBC-9 live. Chinn even points out that Sanders is talking to news crews. Well, why isn't KCTV-5 covering it? In fact, only 9 is covering it live. We know NBC is out of the loop, but Fox 4 has a crew there.

Sanders reveals that at least two people have phoned in from emergency rooms to say they were injured in the shopping center's parking lot. It becomes clear that most of the shooting happened in the parking lot, not at either store, that after the killings in the parking lot, the gunman strolled into the mall and was walking around with a gun.  That's where he was killed.

Six minutes later, KMBC-9 is still the only station in town covering this.  I call KMBC's assignment desk. Why are you the only ones covering this? "I don't know," says the woman who picks up. "Marcus (Moore) just called me a few minutes ago to say, I'm going to have Tony Sanders, so be ready."

I switch over at 5:38 and NBC action news has finally roused its chopper. KCTV-5 was apparently waiting for an "exclusive," as Chinn is now finally getting to stick her microphone in the face of Tony Sanders.

Will any of this matter worth a hill of beans?  On one level, of course not.  Three Four people are dead, all but one of them innocents.  Others, including a police officer, are hurt.  Hundreds if not thousands of patrons of a busy shopping center on a Sunday afternoon just got the scare of their lives. But on another level, when things like this happen, word spreads electrically and, for better or worse, we turn to TV for the latest.

Based on what I have seen for the past 62 minutes, KCTV-5 and KMBC-9 showed they have the resources and the desire to get onto this story and stay on it. Fox 4 did a fine job, and I don't see any point in knocking their coverage.  But watching 5 and 9, there was an urgency there that — again, for better or worse — is why we turn to TV for the latest. Watching the 20-something reporters on KCTV and KMBC, there were times where it felt like their jobs were on the line.

We know that when a thunderclapper rolls into our area, all four stations will, without fail, clamor for our attention. That's because they have hours of warning to prepare for the storms. But on a Sunday afternoon, when a storm of violence comes out of nowhere, when TV staffing levels are thin and it's an all-hands-on-deck situation, it's interesting to see who really does get all their hands on deck.

And now, at 5:48 p.m., everyone is taking a deep breath. "NBC Action News" — which did finally get a crew on the scene but still looks woefully outmanned on this story — has moved on to sports. Fox 4 is doing the weather, about to throw to the sports anchor. Even KMBC has gone to weather and sports. KCTV-5, your CSI channel, kept the crime scene investigation going another two minutes, when weathercaster Katie Horner broke in to tell us what a nice day it was (but also apologized for breaking in).

At 5:54, KMBC is live with Sgt. Tony Sanders again before cutting out at 5:56 in order to bring you ... a taped editorial from KMBC general manager Wayne Godsey, decrying the "11th-hour shenanigans" of outgoing City Council members and urging the incoming mayor to investigate every decision made by lame-duck officials.

And then, at 6 o'clock sharp, it's back to regular programming. Prime time starts early on Sunday.

Comments

[Dave]

If you want details of the story go to the Star or TV. If you want to know who to watch and trust on TV got to TV Barn. Maybe this article wasnt for everyone, but I for one am glad to know who got it right first so I know who to trust next time.

Thanks Mr Barnhart

[The DB]

It's confusing on their page, because they run the netcast first (which was canned hours ago), but if you click on the breaking news banner you can find the video.

[The DB]

Just wanted to give you kudos Aaron, because the first thing I saw below the breaking news on the KC Star banner was the TV Barn link. Gave us a better perspective on how the news was reported. I called a relative and she didn't even know what happened.

[Frax]

I, for one, was watching the hockey game and I did NOT appreciate KSHB breaking into sudden death overtime for it.

Columns like this are only going to promote more overkill coverage next time there's a shooting.

[The DB]

Overkill? How many people (relatives, friends) could be in the mall at this time on a busy Sunday? Lots! It's sad the locals bolted for network programming as soon as their time was up. This was an active crime scene. It was just a hockey game, basketball game, etc...there were lives being taken without knowledge of if there were more participants involved.

[Lelain]

I headed toward Ward-Parkway Center a bit before 3:45 to do some errands -- I live about 4 blocks away. In spite of hearing many sirens, I turned north onto Ward Parkway from 89th and saw police cars heading to the mall and then bunches of Target employees running into the parking lot. People were running and driving away from the mall and sure enough, the TV 5 truck had already pulled up on a side street, which told me I should get away ASAP! 5 must have been in the vicinity because the sirens had only been going for a couple of minutes at that point. I turned on TV 5 at home at 3:45 but nothing was on the air yet. I went off to do my errands at another store, tuning the car radio to 980 AM. Shortly after 4 they had a reporter on the scene and broke into programming with live reports.

[BlogKC]

Another angle to consider is what the stations did online. Even though KSHB wasn't on the scene, they were the first to post a bulletin on their web site. That's a little unusual since KSHB doesn't normally do any web updates on the weekends.

Three hours later KMBC is the only channel that still has not coverage online.

[The DB]

Aaron:

I know that radio is not the subject here, but how many local radio stations have news departments anymore? WDAF had a good one, along with KMBZ (and WHB waaaay back when). I don't even fiddle with the radio anymore because syndicated radio goes on no matter what.

[The DB]

KMBC has multiple stories online, video with Sgt Sanders and Johnny Rowlands video.

[PPJ]

In response to this earlier comment-- "The Bannister Mall thugs are looking for other places, Oak Park mall could be next"

I hear Oak Park Mall is also in danger of a Zombie invasion!

/rolls eyes

I never new Bannister Mall thugs were middle aged white men. I guess you were right,Oak Park Mall really could be next!!!

[PPJ]

In response to this earlier comment-- "The Bannister Mall thugs are looking for other places, Oak Park mall could be next"

I hear Oak Park Mall is also in danger of a Zombie invasion!

/rolls eyes

I never knew Bannister Mall thugs were middle aged white men. I guess you were right,Oak Park Mall really could be next!!!

[The DB]

I guess "Nascar Nation" did call Fox4, after their main story, they explained the end of the race...

[The DB]

Aaron:

How did radio get an hour jump on the local TV outlets? One of the TV stations had a timeline, which clearly showed there was an hour difference.

[anon]

I went to the KCMO website to watch footage of this story. I was shocked and confused at the advertisement that came on first - maybe because I didn't expect an advertisement. But, after I clicked on the play button I was greeted with: children experimenting with shooting a Vickers machine gun at the WWI museum. What terrible taste!

[Byron]

As horrible as this is, I'm glad that local TV isn't devoting too much coverage to this. As horrible as this is there is senseless carnage everywhere in the US at all times. We don't need to see it all. When a horrible event is happening nearby then it needs to be covered as it happens but once the initial event is over it doesn't need that much more attention save for emergency numbers, etc.

And, Aaron, I found this fascinating. As someone who was educated in the business of TV news (but hasn't yet gotten to use that education) it's interesting to hear what decisions the tv stations had to make. That said, it makes more sense for them to at least report on the incident right away. At least a scrolling ticker will let people know that something bad is happening without causing too much of a panic. As awful as this is, the incident isn't something most people should worry about. But the fact that things like this happen at least once a month (if not once a week) in our nation is terrifying.

[Ed Dravecky III]

I love NHL hockey more than I love oxygen but this is exactly the kind of urgent local story that deserves full-on live breaking-news coverage for as long as the stations feel they can cover it. It's in awesomely bad taste to worry about "sudden death overtime" when real people are actually dead, hurt, or in danger.

[Aaron]

Well put as always, Ed.

I think it was a bad call to let the game go on with no crawls, no split screen or anything. Will there be a more sensational or urgent live breaking news event this year in Kansas City? I hope not. So why wouldn't you push the game to the side for a while. NBC of all networks would understand, they of the infamous Game 5 White Bronco Chase Split Screen.

[Aaron]

And NASCAR nation must not be too bright, or have an even worse attention span than I do, because it was perfectly obvious 24 won the race. They SAID he would win the race under caution.

[David]

What's really frustrating is that we were in the car first in South KC, then in Brookside, both times dodging the fastest police responses I've ever seen. And AM radio had NOTHING. We had to call someone we knew would be at home to find out what was happening.

[Sherri]

While you guys are babbling, there are people who have lost love ones and friends. Has anyone listed the names of the ones lost yet? I see that as way more important information to convey in a blog such as this. People in other parts of the country would like to know!

[Aaron]

Hi Sherri. That is not my beat. You can click the logo at the top of this page for the latest.

I've added some comments from local news directors, which I've put in boldface for easy locating. I still think for KMBC to post "There is no known information at this time," besides sounding vaguely Rumsfeldian, was unfortunate because there was known information at the time.

[PamelaJaye]

your original link to the story has become 404
(I'm sure I'll find it elsewhere - we spent yesterday hip deep in dead laptop, so were understandably out of the loop (okay, despite the two working laptops and one desktop in the house... and the TVs, and oh, not being in KC))

[Brenda Poor]

Aaron,
FYI. Ch 5 was actually the first station to cut in on this breaking news story. We broke into golf with a live report at 4pm. We ran crawls after that and broke in again at 4:30pm with another live report.
As you can imagine, it was a very chaotic situation out there.
Thanks
Brenda Poor
Asst News Director
KCTV
913-677-7207

[Aaron]

Brenda, thanks for checking in. I do believe that even a not-very-careful reading of this page makes clear that KCTV was on the scene pretty much right away.

A conversation I've been having mostly offline with people this morning is this: Why did the story have to go over to CNN after 6 p.m.? I realize that everyone was safe by that point, but it was such a compelling story, and so many people were still catching up to it, and sorry, but a lot of folks do NOT use the web to get news updates, and people I've been talking to thought it spoke to KC's third-tier city status that there was no radio news coverage and no TV coverage between 6 and 9 p.m.

[JAB]

Ok, let me get this straight, you all don't like it when we break in to your sunday sit big lazy butts on couch all day to watch the same cars driver around a track over and over again. But, when it's convient for you, you want us to continually cover the breaking news, cuz your to lazy to get off that big rear and drive down the road to see for yourself, but yet you can get in front of your computer or get on the phone and call the station(s) and air your thoughts.

Please for the 1% of you who have jobs. Leave your email address,name and phone number of where/when you work and I will share that list with all media personnel, and we will constantly call and email YOU at work.