KANSAS CITY, MO — Kansas City police are investigating a homicide after a woman was shot Sunday night and later died at a hospital. Officers were called to the 1200 block of East 42nd Street just before midnight, where they found the woman lying in the street.
First responders tried life-saving measures at the scene before she was taken to a nearby hospital. Police later said she did not survive. Investigators identified the victim as 28-year-old Rhegan Spiegel.
Detectives spent the early morning hours canvassing the neighborhood and speaking with possible witnesses. They are still working to determine what happened before the shooting and what led to the deadly violence.
Police respond to a late-night shooting scene
According to Kansas City police, the shooting happened shortly before midnight on Sunday in a residential area on the city’s east side. Officers arrived to find Spiegel in the street, indicating the violence unfolded in a public area rather than inside a home or business.
Emergency crews immediately began trying to save her life. She was then transported to a nearby hospital, but hospital staff pronounced her dead after she arrived.
Police have not released details about a suspect, a possible motive, or whether the shooting involved more than one person. Those unanswered questions remain part of the active homicide investigation.
Investigators spend the early hours canvassing the neighborhood
Detectives remained in the area through the early morning hours after the shooting, looking for clues that could help reconstruct the final moments before the gunfire. Canvassing a scene usually means officers go door to door, search for witnesses, and look for any nearby evidence that may have been missed in the immediate response.
Police said they were trying to determine what led up to the shooting. That work often includes checking for surveillance video, identifying people who may have been outside at the time, and comparing witness accounts with physical evidence.
No additional details about arrests or recovered weapons were included in the department’s statement. The investigation is still open.
Rhegan Spiegel identified as the victim
Police identified the woman who died as 28-year-old Rhegan Spiegel. Her name was released after officers confirmed her identity following the overnight investigation.
Authorities did not immediately provide any additional information about her background or tell the public whether family members had been notified. In homicide cases, identification is one of the first steps in building a timeline and connecting the victim to anyone who may have seen or spoken with them shortly before the shooting.
The fact that the victim was found in the roadway suggests investigators are still piecing together exactly where the shooting began and whether she was moved or was struck while outside. Police have not said.
How officers and medics tried to save her life
When first responders reached the scene, they began life-saving efforts right away. Those efforts are standard when a shooting victim is found with critical injuries and can include CPR, bleeding control, and rapid transport to a trauma center.
Even with that response, Spiegel was pronounced dead at the hospital. The outcome underscores how quickly gunshot wounds can become fatal, especially when the victim is found after the shooting rather than being treated immediately at the scene.
Police did not release information about the number of shots fired or the severity of her injuries. They also have not said how long she may have been on the ground before officers arrived.
Detectives ask for tips as the case remains open
Kansas City police are urging anyone with information to contact homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043. People who want to stay anonymous can also call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.
Tips from neighbors, drivers, or anyone who was in the area late Sunday could help investigators narrow down the timeline and identify a suspect. Police often rely on those calls when early leads are limited and a scene offers few immediate answers.
For now, the case remains an active homicide investigation. Detectives are continuing to gather witness statements and evidence from the neighborhood where Spiegel was shot.
