Kansas City firefighter-paramedic dies after being stabbed by patient during transport

KANSAS CITY NORTH — A Kansas City firefighter-paramedic died after being stabbed by a patient during a medical transport early Sunday morning, city officials announced.

Graham Hoffman was critically injured around 1 a.m. while transporting a patient to Saint Luke’s Hospital on Barry Road.

The medical call came in from the area of North Oak Trafficway and Highway 152.

The patient stabbed Hoffman in the chest while the firefighter’s partner called a crew emergency and additional Kansas City Fire Department as well as the Kansas City Police Department were dispatched, according to department reports.

Hoffman was transported to North Kansas City Hospital. Despite efforts, he died from his injuries.

He was 29 and served with the Kansas City Fire Department since 2022.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, in a 4 p.m. online press conference, said that he didn’t expect a line-of-duty death like this.

“I am grieving for his family and friends,” he said. “We will demand justice.”

Kansas City Fire Chief Ross Grundyson said these actions have deprived the city of a quality firefighter-paramedic.

Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins, who serves as the Kansas City Fire Department’s public information officer, said Hoffmann was assigned to Squad 42 in South Kansas City, but was working overtime in the Northland yesterday.

This is a developing story. As more details become available, the story will be updated.

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