© 2024 Kansas City Public Radio
NPR in Kansas City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Shootings At Johnson County Jewish Facilities Have Global Impact

Laura Spencer
/
KCUR

Shootings at the Jewish Community Center and Village Shalom retirement home in Overland Park, Kan. became international news overnight as new details about the tragedy emerged.

Authorities have been learning about the racist and anti-Semitic ideology of the suspect, Frazier Glenn Cross Jr., who hate-group trackers have been following for years.

The story is being covered internationally including by the BBC in London, the China Daily, and newspapers in Jerusalem.

On websites and on social media, Muslims and Christians joined Jews and other denominations from around the world in mourning the three deaths. Hundreds gathered at the Jewish Community Center after the shooting and another interfaith service is tentatively planned for Thursday.

The tragedy hit closer to home for Noah Davis, who was shopping for his Bar Mitzvah suit when he and his dad heard the news. They raced home to find police handcuffing a suspect in the parking lot of the Valley Park Elementary School just across from his house.

Now he’s worried for everyone, he says, who is coming to his Bar Mitzvah next month. 

"And now I'm just nervous because what if someone just comes in and threatens us and kills people?" Davis said.

Overland Park Police declined to discuss extra security measures, but Chief John Douglass did say federal, state, and local law enforcement were doubling down to make sure people are safe.

The shootings come just one week after the latest in a series of highway shootings scared Kansas City motorists. Police declined to answer questions about possible connections between the two events.

Frazier Glenn Cross Jr., from Aurora, Mo., is in police custody. An arraignment is pending.

Eds note: a previous version of this story incorrectly stated the suspect would be arraigned Monday at 1:30 p.m.

I partner with communities to uncover the ignored or misrepresented stories by listening and letting communities help identify and shape a narrative. My work brings new voices, sounds, and an authentic sense of place to our coverage of the Kansas City region. My goal is to tell stories on the radio, online, on social media and through face to face conversations that enhance civic dialogue and provide solutions.
KCUR serves the Kansas City region with breaking news and award-winning podcasts.
Your donation helps keep nonprofit journalism free and available for everyone.