Shots fired at Kansas City funeral of Marcus Denmon's cousin

Shots were fired during a funeral attended by Missouri men's basketball player Marcus Denmon and members of the Missouri coaching staff in Kansas City on Tuesday.

MU spokesman Dave Reiter confirmed that junior guard Marcus Denmon as well as some members of the Missouri coaching staff were present at the funeral of Marion Denmon at Macedonia Baptist Church when shots rang out. Marion Denmon is the cousin of Marcus Denmon.

Marion Denmon, 20, died Dec. 7 after spending three days in Truman Medical Center after being shot while riding in a car.

Reiter said Marcus Denmon and the Missouri staff in attendance were not injured.

"Everyone's fine and on their way home," he said.

Reiter would not disclose how many or which members of the staff were present.

According to Kansas City police, shots were reported around 12:20 p.m.

Darin Snapp, a public information officer with the Kansas City Police Department, said a witness outside the church saw two cars fire shots while driving on a street outside the church.

"With the evidence we've found, it's not believed that the original shots fired outside the church were trying to shoot into the church," Snapp said. "We didn't find any bullet holes actually in the church."

The vehicles, described as a tan-colored SUV and a red car, circled the block and fired more shots. Several people — the exact number is unknown — exited the church and exchanged fire with the shooters in the cars, Snapp said.

"There is street talk that this is gang-related," Snapp said. "Also, (Marion) Denmon's homicide was gang-related."

The gang unit, homicide unit and assault squad of the Kansas City police are currently involved in the ongoing investigation of the shooting. 

The only reported injury from the shooting was a broken arm. According to Snapp, a woman slipped and fell on the ice while running from the scene.

Following the shooting, police officers escorted the funeral procession to the burial site.

On Saturday, after Missouri's game against Presbyterian, Marcus Denmon made his first statement since the death of his cousin. 

"We were really more like brothers," he said. "We grew up as kids together. It was just tough."