Shots through the sanctuary wall during a funeral prayer

What happened

On February 27, 2026, family and friends gathered at New Beginning Apostolic Church in Kansas City’s Northeast area for the funeral of Jerrell Westmoreland, who had been shot and killed earlier that month. A relative told KCTV5 the pastor had just asked everyone to bow their heads in prayer when gunfire hit the front of the church. Everyone dropped to the floor.

Police say the bullets went through the sanctuary walls. Two people were shot, a woman and a man, and a third person was hurt. One of three uniformed off-duty officers working the service was hit by glass when a bullet struck a window. None of the injuries were life-threatening. Investigators found rifle casings at a nearby intersection, and a handgun and magazine in front of the church.

In April, the KCPD Gang Enforcement Unit arrested Anthony Medley, who was charged with unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action. Prosecutors said detectives used witness descriptions, license plate readers and cell phone data to identify him. The charges are allegations.

What safety teams can take from it

• Treat funerals for violence victims as high-risk events. Grief, ongoing feuds and a published time and place create real risk. Do a threat assessment with the family and, if needed, with police before you host.
• Hired off-duty officers are worth it, and so is your own team. Uniformed officers were already inside. Work out how your volunteers and hired officers will split roles: who watches the street, who manages the room, who handles first aid.
• Know your cover. Bullets went through the walls. Walk your building and identify which walls, rooms and hallways would actually stop rounds. Make those your shelter points.
• Bleeding control is part of security. Stock stop-the-bleed kits with tourniquets and train people to use them. Gunshot wounds are often survivable if bleeding is stopped in the first few minutes.
• Help the family afterward. Your team can help police by collecting witness names and preserving camera footage.