Warning: This story contains graphic images of wounded victims.
Eight children were among 22 people injured by gunfire in a shooting at the end of Wednesday’s parade to celebrate Kansas City’s Super Bowl win, authorities said, as terrified fans ran for cover and yet another high-profile public event was marred by gun violence. One person was killed.
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 has 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 shocking video. One user’s video showed someone apparently performing chest compressions on a shooting victim as another person, seemingly writhing in pain, lay on the ground nearby. People screamed in the background.
Kansas City’s Super Bowl victory parade was thrown into chaos when people began fleeing after hearing gunshots.
Another video showed two onlookers chase down and tackle someone, holding that person down until two police officers arrived.
Lisa Money of Kansas City, Kan., was trying to gather some confetti near the end of the parade 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.
Kevin Sanders, 53, of Lenexa, Kan., 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.
“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,” she said.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and his wife 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.”
Police in Kansas City, Mo., discuss a shooting that happened at the end of the city’s Super Bowl parade.
Team members were on buses
The parade was a celebration of Kansas City’s 25-22 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers that gave them their second straight Super Bowl title.
Kansas City team trainer Rick Burkholder said he was with coach Andy Reid and other coaches and staff members, and the team was on buses and returning to Arrowhead Stadium.
“This is absolutely a tragedy, the likes of which we never would have expected in Kansas City, the likes of which we’ll remember for some time,” Mayor Quinton Lucas said.
“Praying for Kansas City,” quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Offensive tackle Donovan Smith, defensive tackle Mike Pennel and safety Justin Reid were among players offering similar statements of support on social media.
“My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by today’s incidents — a huge thank you to the first responders who ran towards the sound of danger,” offensive guard Trey Smith posted on X. “You’re the ones who should be celebrated today.”
Areas that had been filled with crowds were empty after the shooting, with police and firefighters standing and talking behind an area restricted by yellow tape.
Throngs had lined the route, with fans climbing trees and street poles, or standing on rooftops for a better view. Players rolled through the crowd on double-decker buses, DJs and drummers heralding their arrival. Owner Clark Hunt was on one of those buses, holding the Lombardi Trophy.
The city and the team each chipped in around $1 million US for the event commemorating Travis Kelce, Mahomes and the franchise becoming the first team since Tom Brady and the New England Patriots two decades ago to defend their title.
After decades without a championship, the city is gaining experience with victory parades. Five seasons ago, KC defeated San Francisco for the team’s first Super Bowl championship in 50 years. That followed MLB’s Kansas City Royals winning the World Series in 2015, the city’s first baseball championship in 30 years. That year, fans abandoned their cars on the side of the highway so they could walk to the celebration.
Then, last year, the NFL team defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 and prophetically vowed they would be back for more.
Source Agencies
