Teenager hit by driver outside Somali Center of KC dies at hospital

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Teenager hit by driver outside Somali Center of KC dies at hospital

"It became pretty clear that this was not an accidental crash, there is a considerable amount of evidence that leads us to believe it was intentional," Sergeant Bill Mahoney with KCPD said.

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"It became pretty clear that this was not an accidental crash, there is a considerable amount of evidence that leads us to believe it was intentional," Sergeant Bill Mahoney with KCPD said.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A teenager who was is in surgery at Children’s Mercy Hospital after being hit by a man driving an SUV near Admiral Boulevard and The Paseo died Thursday night. The 15-year-old boy lost a lot of blood when his legs were severed in what police believe was an intentional attack outside the Somali Center of Kansas City.

The teenage boy was getting into a car outside of the Somali Center at about 5:30 p.m. when he was hit. A male suspect in his 30’s was taken into custody.

"Suspect apparently hit him and another individual as they were getting into a car that was parked along the north side of Admiral Boulevard,” Sgt. Mahoney said. "Vehicle then was damaged, he tried to leave the scene but couldn’t get anywhere in the vehicle. He bailed out of it, started running eastbound and was apprehended by officers.”

The other person hurt reportedly didn’t suffer life-threatening injuries.

Family and people heavily involved with the Somali Center say a man had been threatening people in the Muslim community for months now on Facebook. Several others say that same man pointed a gun at them, threatening to kill them because of their Muslim religion.

"A month or two ago he came to the Somali mall, two blocks from here. Things got bad, they started arguing and he pulled a gun,” Abdul Mohamed, a man who knows the victim, said.

Family told FOX 4’s Megan Brilley at the crime scene that the teenage victim is the son of the Somali Center’s leader, and they were devastated by the events that happened Thursday night.

"Our family is very destroyed at what happened. He’s a sweet, loving kid. He doesn’t deserve this,” Khadra Dirir, the victim’s aunt, said. "I’m pretty sure it’s a hate crime from things I’ve been hearing. I hope that someone brings him to justice.”

The victim has not formally been identified yet. FOX 4 will continue to follow developments with this story and provide updates as information is confirmed.