Saturday, May 14, 2022
Released by Lt. Rebekah Lynch
On Friday, May 13, 2022 at approximately 10:45 p.m., numerous 911 calls came into the Pittsburg Police Department dispatch center from citizens reporting multiple gunshots in the area of the 100 block of West 23rd Street.
Officers responded to the area and upon arrival located two female victims. Officers attempted to render medical aid to 40-year-old Stephanie Marie Short, of Pittsburg, who appeared to be suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Life-saving efforts were unsuccessful and Ms. Short was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Another 46-year-old female, identified as Velma Marie Cubie, of Kansas City, Missouri, was also found to have sustained injury as a result of gunfire. She was transported to Ascension Via Christi Hospital, where she remains in stable condition.
Initial investigation into this incident led to the identification of a suspect, 39-year-old James Cornell Hamilton, of Pittsburg. Hamilton was taken into custody by a Crawford County Deputy at the scene. He was taken to the Pittsburg Police Department for questioning related to this incident. Hamilton was later transported to the Crawford County Jail where he was booked in on one count of murder in the first degree and one count of attempted murder in the first degree. A request has been made for Hamilton to be held without bond.
Pittsburg Police, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office continue to actively investigate this incident. Anyone having information related to this incident, or other incidents, is urged to contact the Pittsburg Police Department at 620-231-1700, or at our tip line, 620-231-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.
