Kansas City police are seen at Union Station, where a shooting broke out during the Chiefs Super Bowl victory rally on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Image via IMAGO)
On Wednesday, Kansas City Police released information that one person died and 22 were injured following a shooting near the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade at Union Station. Among the 22 injured, there were 11 children ages 6 to 15. Fortunately, their injuries arenโt life-threatening.
According to the police, as soon as the parade concluded at the Unionย Station parking garage, people heard gunshots around 2 p.m. Kansas Cityโs mayor, Quinton Lucas, revealed that all the Chiefs players, staff, and their families managed to leave safely.
Mayor Lucas said about the tragedy,
I am angry. The celebration was [marred] by a shooting. The people who came to this celebration should expect a safe environment.
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said during the press conference that they apprehended three individuals. Furthermore, they also confiscated a weapon from one of the suspects.
A Kansas City Chiefs fan described the shooting
On February 11, the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to win their third Super Bowl in five years. Despite Joe Bidenโs awkward media frenzy, the country was celebrating the win. The official website announced they would show off their latest Lombardi Trophy three days later. It will kick off at 11 a.m. and run from about 2 to 3 p.m.
Kade Collins, a Kansas City resident and a Chiefs fan, attended the parade with his dad and described the entire shooting ordeal to FOX 4 KC. Collins revealed that he heard 10 to 12 gunshots but perceived them as fireworks. However, they finally came to their senses when people around them started screaming.
I could see three people with gunshot wounds on the ground and one girl with a gunshot wound to her leg. A second woman was also shot; her leg was covered in blood.
Collins said
Collins also saw a few people helping some of the wounded, whom he described as โlying flat on their backs.โ He tried to describe that they were aged around 20 to 30.ย
My dad saw the police tackle a suspect. There was someone pointing and saying, ‘He’s right there, he’s right there.’ and [police] ran to the guy the crowd was pointing at and tackled him.
Chief Graves added that the police are investigating the reason behind the shooting. But they have yet to succeed in their venture.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes shared on X (formerly Twitter)
Brittany Mahomes wrote on Instagram,
Shooting people is never the answer. Praying for Kansas City and America in general; this is rough. I am highly embarrassed and disappointed in this. Super Bowl wins will never be the same because of this; itโs devastating.
It was indeed a devastating moment for the Chiefs. A moment of celebration turned into a nightmare.