Paul Contreras is a hero. On February 14, the Kansas City Chiefs held their Super Bowl victory parade at Union Station, Kansas. Contreras was one of the thousands of Chiefs fans who turned out to cheer for Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce as they showed off their third Super Bowl trophy.
The parade started around 11 a.m. and concluded three hours later, with several Chiefs players rallying their fans. However, tragedy struck soon after the festivities ended.
According to Kansas City Police, unidentified gunmen started shooting, and as a result, 22 people were left injured. Among them, there were 11 children aged between 6 and 15. Fortunately, Children’s Mercy Hospital later announced none of them were in serious condition.
Even before that, amidst the commotion, one of the suspects can be seen fleeing the scene. However, a man wearing a gray t-shirt and gray sweatpants tackled him to the ground. That was none other than Paul Contreras.
Chiefs fan Paul Contreras recounted the moment
On February 11, the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers, bagging their latest Lombardi Trophy. The Chiefs announced that they would be holding a victory parade on Thursday, three days later. When it concluded around 2 p.m., people heard several gunshots, which they first believed to be fireworks. But those celebrations turned into horror after a few of the shots hit some of the fans.
Kansas City Chiefs Celebration Feb 14, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; Fans react outside of Union Station after shots were fired after the celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs winning Super Bowl LVIII. (Image via IMAGO)Moments later, one of them, Paul Contreras, tackled one of the suspects on the ground. A longtime Chiefs supporter later revealed to KETV7 that he did not hesitate for one moment. When others saw Contreras’ heroism, a couple of others got the courage to jump in and apprehend the alleged shooter.
I didn’t hesitate. So I went to tackle him, and another gentleman did the same thing, and as I’m tackling him, I see his weapon either fall out of his hand or out of his sleeve.
Contreras said
Even though everything transpired in a blink of an eye, to Contreras, it seemed forever. As soon as they managed to subdue the suspect, he shouted to attract the attention of the cops.
Where’s the cops? Get the cops over here; get the cops over here.
Here is hero Chiefs fan Paul Contreras who tackled one of the armed shooters at the Chiefs victory parade and held him down until the police arrived. Make him famous. Well done, sir. pic.twitter.com/Yezf01kIln
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) February 15, 2024
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas announced that all the Chiefs players, staff, and their family members were evacuated safely. Lucas said that he was angry with the incident, and President Joe Biden is keeping an eye on the situation.
The Chiefs released a statement,
We are truly saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred outside of the union station at the conclusion of the parade and rally. Our hearts go to the victims, their families, and Kansas City.
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves later, in a press conference, stated that they had apprehended three suspects. However, they have yet to narrow down the reason behind the shooting.
