One person was killed and up to 15 were injured in a shooting at the end of the parade to celebrate the Super Bowl win by the Kansas City Chiefs, sending terrified fans running for cover and marring yet another high-profile public event with gun violence.
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves detailed the shooting's toll at a news conference and said two people had been taken into custody. She said she had heard that fans may have been involved in apprehending a suspect but couldn't confirm that. "I'm angry at what happened today. The people who came to this celebration should expect a safe environment." Graves said.
Social media users posted a shocking video. One user's video showed someone performing chest compressions on a shooting victim as another person, seemingly writhing in pain, lay on the ground nearby. People screamed in the background.
Another video showed two onlookers chasing down and tackling someone, holding that person down until two police officers arrived.
Lisa Money of Kansas City, Kansas, was trying to gather some confetti near the parade's end when she heard somebody yell, Down, down, everybody down!
At first, Money thought somebody might be joking until she saw the SWAT team jumping over the fence." I can't believe it really happened. Who in their right mind would do something like this? This is supposed to be a day of celebration for everybody in the city and the surrounding area. and then you've got some idiot that wants to come along and do something like this," she said.
Kevin Sanders, 53, of Lenexa, Kansas, said he heard what sounded like firecrackers and then people running. After that initial flurry, calm returned, and he didn't think much of it. But he said 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.
Lisa Augustine, spokesperson for Children's Mercy Kansas City, said the hospital is receiving patients from the rally. She didn't know how many or immediately offer any details about their injuries. "St. Luke's Hospital of Kansas City received one gunshot patient in critical condition and one walk-in patient with injuries that were not life-threatening," spokesperson Laurel Gifford said.
The University of Kansas Health System was treating one person wounded in the shooting, said Jill Jensen Chadwick, news director for the health system. She didn't know the person's condition.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and the first lady were at the parade when shots were fired but are safe, Parson posted on X. State law enforcement personnel are assisting local authorities in response efforts, Parson posted. As we wait to learn more, our hearts go out to the victims.
