Man Charged with Assault After Biting Kansas City, KS, Paramedic

A Kansas City man has been charged with assault after he allegedly bit a paramedic with the Kansas City Fire Department while en route to a hospital, according to court documents.

The Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged 40-year-old Antonio L. Jones was charged with one count of third-degree assault of a special victim, which is a felony.

The paramedic received a minor injury after an altercation at about 10 a.m. Friday, in the back of the ambulance. Friday, said Battalion Chief Riley Nolan, a spokesman for the Kansas City Fire Department. The paramedic was taken to the hospital for evaluation of the injury.

Jones was being held in Jackson County jail on $100,000 bond. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison.

Claimed another person in ambulance trying to kill him

According to court documents, Kansas City police officers had requested an ambulance to respond to the 3500 block of Broadway, where the ambulance crew picked up Jones.

Jones allegedly removed his seat belt and stood up in the ambulance in the area of West 29th Street and Broadway. A paramedic declared a “crew emergency,” summoning police and additional fire department resources.

When officers arrived, Jones allegedly became more agitated and combative. Officers took Jones to the ground, and others, including the paramedic, tried to help. The paramedic told detectives that he felt pressure on his lower back, which increased to a sharp burning pain.

The paramedic realized that Jones was allegedly biting him, and the paramedic struck out at him. The paramedic told police that he wasn’t sure whether he made contact with Jones, but he stopped biting afterwards.

The paramedic was taken to a hospital and had a large circular bite wound on the lower left side of his back, which was bleeding. The paramedic’s skin was broken in the incident, according to court documents.

The incident was captured on body-worn and in-car video cameras, according to court documents.

Jones made his first appearance in Jackson County court on Monday. A judge set a bond review hearing for July 1.

Assault comes weeks after paramedic killed

The assault comes weeks after 29-year-old Kansas City firefighter-paramedic Graham Hoffman was fatally stabbed in the heart early April 27 during a routine call in Kansas City’s Northland.

Hoffman and another paramedic were taking 38-year-old Shanetta P. Bossell in an ambulance to a hospital when she allegedly stabbed him.

A Clay County grand jury has indicted Bossell on charges of first-degree murder, armed criminal action, third-degree assault of a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest and first-degree tampering with a vehicle in the death of Hoffman. All of the charges are felonies.

Just days before the killing, Bossell was accused of biting an off-duty Platte City police officer in North Kansas City. The officer arrived at home on April 23 and found Bossell allegedly pulling the handles on his personal vehicle. When he confronted her, a struggle ensued.

A Clay County jury has also indicted Bossell on felony charges of second-degree assault of a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest, according to court documents.

She is being held in Clay County jail on $5 million bond in the murder case and $200,000 bond in the assault case. Bossell’s next court appearance is set for Sept. 5.