2 injured in shooting at Missouri HS graduation, a day after gunfire near separate ceremony

Gunfire disrupted a high school graduation ceremony in Missouri, leaving two individuals injured, just a day after shots were reportedly fired near another graduation event in Kansas City.

The incident occurred at approximately 2:33 p.m. local time at the Show Me Center, situated on the Southeast Missouri State University campus in Cape Girardeau. Cape Girardeau Police Department disclosed that the altercation took place as school resource officers from the Cape Girardeau Public School District were present for the ceremony. Authorities promptly detained a person of interest and provided aid to the injured parties, who were subsequently taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The individual in question is now in police custody.

Fortunately, no students or staff members sustained injuries during the altercation, as affirmed by Howard Benyon, the superintendent of Cape Girardeau Public Schools. Benyon expressed gratitude for the swift assistance of Show-Me Center staff in evacuating the premises safely. However, due to the incident, the graduation ceremony will be rescheduled to ensure a celebration worthy of the graduates while cooperating with law enforcement’s investigation.

Similarly, a separate incident unfolded during the graduation ceremony at DeLaSalle High School in Kansas City, where shots were reportedly fired nearby around 3:35 p.m. the previous day. According to Kansas City Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Phillip DiMartino, no injuries were reported, and authorities do not suspect a connection between the shooting and the graduation event. Details regarding any arrests related to the shooting remain undisclosed.

DeLaSalle High School responded to the incident with a statement expressing sadness over the disruption of what should have been a joyous occasion for their graduating class. Fortunately, no harm came to any attendees, and the school extended their prayers for the safety of the Kansas City community during this challenging time.