After the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl victory parade on Wednesday, frightened spectators fled for shelter, and yet another high-profile public event was tainted by gun violence. Authorities said that eight children were among the 22 persons shot during the massacre. A mother of two who was a DJ for her radio station was the only one slain.
Three persons have been brought into custody, according to Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves, who gave a comprehensive account of the shooting's casualties at a press conference. Though she couldn't immediately verify it, she stated she had heard rumors that fans may have assisted in capturing a suspect.
“I’m angry at what happened today. The people who came to this celebration should expect a safe environment.” Graves said. Police did not immediately release any details about the people taken into custody or about a possible motive for the shootings. She said firearms had been recovered, but not what kind of weapons were used.
“All of that is being actively investigated,” she said.
After a shooting in downtown Denver following the Nuggets' NBA title last year, which injured many people, and gunfire in a parking lot close to the Texas Rangers' World Series championship parade last year, this is the most recent sporting event in the United States to be marred by gun violence.
Users on social media shared graphic footage of police rushing into a packed area while people frantically sought shelter and attempted to flee. A person was shown on one video seeming to provide chest compressions to a victim of a shooting as another person lay close, appearing to be in pain. A backdrop of screams was heard.
Two individuals were shown in another video pursuing and tackling someone, then keeping them down until two police officers turned there.
Radio station KKFI said in a Facebook post Wednesday evening that Lisa Lopez-Galvan, host of “Taste of Tejano,” was killed in the shooting.
“This senseless act has taken a beautiful person from her family and this KC Community,” KKFI said in a statement. From a well-known Latino family in the community, Lopez-Galvan, also known by her DJ handle "Lisa G," was an outgoing and loving mother, according to Martha Ramirez and Rosa Izurieta, two old friends who coworked with her at a staffing agency. According to Izurieta, Lopez-Galvan went to the parade with her spouse and her grown son, who was also shot and a devoted sports fan from Kansas City.
Izurieta remarked, "She's the kind of person who would jump in front of a bullet for anybody—that would be Lisa."Mayor Quinton Lucas, who visited the scene with his wife and mother and had to flee for their lives as gunshots broke out, stated that the shooting outside Union Station occurred in spite of the more than 800 police officers present in the building and surrounding area, including atop adjoining buildings.
As parents and everyday people, Lucas stated, "I think that's something that all of us have to decide what we wish to do about." "movies, schools, parades, and rallies. Almost nothing seemed to be secure.
In an attempt to combat violent crime, the U.S. Justice Department singled out nine towns in 2020, including Kansas City, which has historically plagued with gun violence. In 2023 the city matched a record with 182 homicides, most of which involved guns.
Along with mayors throughout the nation, Lucas is advocating for new legislation to curb gun violence, such as requiring background checks for all purchases.
Lisa Money, a city dweller, heard someone cry, "Down, down, everybody down!" as she was attempting to grab some confetti close to the parade's conclusion.
When Money initially saw the SWAT squad leaping over the fence, she thought maybe someone was kidding.
It's unbelievable that it actually happened. Who would do anything like this in a rational mind? It is everyone's intention for the city and the neighboring areas to celebrate this day. and then there's this moron who wants to show here and do something similar," she remarked.
Kevin Sanders, 53, of Lenexa, Kansas, said he heard what sounded like firecrackers and then people started running. After that initial flurry, calm returned, and he didn’t think much of it. But 10 minutes later, ambulances started showing up.
“It sucks that someone had to ruin the celebration, but we are in a big city,” Sanders said.
University Health spokeswoman Nancy Lewis said the hospital was treating eight gunshot victims. Two were in critical condition and six were in stable condition, she said. The hospital also was treating four people for other injuries resulting from the chaos after the shooting, Lewis said.
Lisa Augustine, spokesperson for Children’s Mercy Kansas City, said the hospital was treating 12 patients from the rally, including 11 children, some of whom suffered gunshot wounds.
St. Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City received one gunshot patient in critical condition and three walk-ins with injuries that were not life-threatening, spokesperson Laurel Gifford said.
“When you have this many casualties, it’s going to get spread out among a lot of hospitals so that you don’t overwhelm any single ER,” said Jill Jensen Chadwick, news director for University of Kansas Health System, which received at least one person injured in the shooting.
Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder said that he was with coach Andy Reid and other coaches and staff members at the time of the shooting, and that the team was on buses and returning to Arrowhead Stadium.
“We are truly saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred outside of Union Station at the conclusion of today's parade and rally," the team said in a statement.
Missouri’s Republican Gov. Mike Parson and first lady Teresa Parson were at the parade during the gunfire but were unhurt. “Thanks to the professionalism of our security officers and first responders, Teresa and I and our staff are safe and secure,” Parson said in a statement.
President Joe Biden was briefed on the shooting and will continue to receive updates, a White House spokesperson said. White House officials were in touch with state and local leaders, and federal law enforcement was on the scene supporting their local counterparts.
After the shooting, sections that had been crowded with people were deserted, and police and firemen could be seen standing and conversing behind a section of yellow tape.
Before, large crowds had gathered along the route, with spectators scaling street poles and trees or standing on rooftops to get a closer look. Double-decker bus players moved through the throng, accompanied by drummers and DJs to announce their presence. On one of the vans was owner Clark Hunt, clutching the Lombardi Trophy.
For the celebration honoring Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, and the Chiefs for becoming the first team since Tom Brady and the New England Patriots two decades ago to defend their championship, the city and the team each contributed around $1 million.
End//voice7news.tv
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