Officials said that multiple people were struck by gunfire that erupted near the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory parade in Kansas City on Wednesday, leaving at least 22 victims injured and one dead.
“Shots were fired west of Union Station near the garage, and multiple people were struck,” the Kansas City Missouri Police Department (KCPD) said in a statement on Feb. 14, not long after shots rang out, sending terrified fans running for cover.
“We do have three persons detained and under investigation for today’s incident,” KCPD chief Stacey Graves said at a 5:25 p.m. press conference, the second update on the violence that broke out at the high-profile event.
Ms. Graves said investigators were aware of rumors that some celebrating fans rushed and tackled one of the gunmen, though she said she couldn’t immediately confirm that this was indeed the case.
At the press conference, Kansas City Fire Department Chief Ross Grundyson said that officials weren’t expecting the outbreak of violence but were ready for it.
Mr. Grundyson said that, of the 22 gunshot victims, there were eight with immediately life-threatening injuries and six with minor injuries.
“This is absolutely a tragedy, the likes of which we would have never expected in Kansas City and the likes of which we will remember for some time,” said Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, at an earlier press conference.
The KCPD chief said at the presser that officers rushed to the scene in response to reports of shots fired, took three people into custody, and immediately rendered life-sustaining aid.
She added that the investigation remains ongoing but that the number of victims is upward of 10 to 15, with one dead.
Ms. Graves added that it was too early to say what led up to the shooting.
‘I’m Angry’
The police chief praised officers for their rapid response.
“We know that one of the victims is deceased,” she said. “We also know that officers ran towards danger.”
“I’m angry at what happened today,” Ms. Graves said, adding that people attending the celebration should expect a safe environment.
She said that there were over 800 law enforcement officers on hand to help keep everyone safe.
“Because of bad actors, which were very few, this tragedy occurred. Even in the presence of uniformed law enforcement officers who, again, ran towards them and took them into custody,” the police chief added.
A video from outside Union Station shared on social media showed chaotic scenes with commotion and screams in the background as armed police officers ran toward the station.
One of the alleged gunmen was tackled by some parade goers, according to footage posted on social media, while another video showed a group of police officers apparently subduing a suspect.
More Details
Speaking at the press conference, the mayor said he’s “heartbroken” and praying for the victims and families impacted.
“I’m incredibly upset, disappointed,” Mr. Lucas said. “I was there with my wife. I was there with my mother. We never would have thought that we, along with Chiefs players, along with fans, hundreds of thousands of people, would be forced to run for our safety today.”
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said in a post on X that she was at the celebration and, following the shooting, had been evacuated and “am out of harm’s way.”
“I encourage everyone to follow instructions and updates from @kcpolice. Please stay safe,” she wrote.
A Kansas City parade goer said he heard a shot near a security post east of the stage.
“It was someone within feet of me,” said Shawn Grew, according to Kansas City Star reporter Eric Adler.
Mr. Grew’s adult daughter was inside Union Station, and he was still waiting to hear from her, per Mr. Adler’s post on X, which showed Mr. Grew texting on his phone with an ambulance in the background.
Drue Tranquill, a linebacker for the Chiefs, took to social media to call the shooting a “heinous act.”
“Please join me in prayer for all the victims in this heinous act,” he wrote. “Pray that doctors & first responders would have steady hands & that all would experience full healing.”
Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs’ quarterback, said in a post on X: “Praying for Kansas City.”
The shooting broke the celebratory mood on Valentine’s Day as Chiefs fans marked their third Super Bowl title in five seasons with a parade.
Around 1 million parade goers and some 600 law enforcement officials were expected at the celebration.
Despite the shooting, the celebration appeared to be continuing.
In a more recent post on X after the initial thread announcing the shooting, Kansas City police shared a video taken from a helicopter showing a massive crowd outside Union Station.
“Kansas City, you look incredible at the @chiefs parade,” KCPD wrote. “We are honored to serve you on the ground and overhead.”
From The Epoch Times
