By Praveena Somasundaram
The Washington Post
Kansas City became the latest high-profile scene of gun violence in America when the parade celebrating the Chiefs’ dynasty-cementing Super Bowl win ended in gunfire that left at least one person dead and 21 injured, authorities said.
A deadly shooting erupted in Kansas City, Mo., following the parade for the Chief's Super Bowl victory on Feb. 14.(c) 2024 , The Washington Post
Shots were fired near Union Station, a historical site in the Missouri city where Chiefs players had just given speeches to a rally of fans. As of Wednesday evening, police had taken three people into custody but had not yet disclosed a motive.
Wednesday’s Super Bowl parade marked Kansas City’s third in five years, and it started off just like the others. Fans lined the streets, draped in their Chiefs merchandise, holding signs and waving team flags as they jockeyed for positions to catch glimpses of the players.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas (D), who attended the parade with his wife and mother, said he felt “incredibly upset” that he, his family and hundreds of Kansas City fans were “forced to run for our safety” when they heard the gunshots.
“This is a day that a lot of people look forward to, something they remember for a lifetime,” Lucas said in a news conference Wednesday. “And what they shouldn’t have to remember is the threat of gun violence marring a day like this.”
In a statement, the Chiefs said all of the team’s players, coaches and staff were safe after the incident, which it described as a “senseless act of violence.”
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R), who attended the parade with his wife, said it was a “tragic conclusion to a celebration we had all looked forward to.”
Lucas and other officials touted the parade’s security measures. Hundreds of law enforcement officers were on-site from the parade’s start, allowing for a quick response when the shots were fired, Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said. As of Wednesday evening, police had not yet identified the person who died in the incident.
Graves added that the shooting occurred despite the heavy police presence because of “bad actors.”
Police at the parade responded to gunshots that were heard just after the rally ended at Union Station. Videos posted on social media showed parade spectators, most in red team gear, rushing away from the area as police ran inside the building. Other videos showed responders aiding victims on the ground outside Union Station.
Nearly two dozen people were taken to hospitals for treatment, officials said in a news conference Wednesday evening.
Kansas City interim fire chief Ross Grundyson told reporters that of the 21 injured victims, eight had “immediately life-threatening” injuries and seven had “life-threatening injuries.” Six others were considered to have “minor” injuries. A spokesperson for Kansas City’s Children’s Mercy hospital confirmed to The Washington Post that the facility was treating 12 patients from the shooting, 11 of whom were children.
Police said they recovered firearms but did not say what types or how many.
The shooting left the Kansas City community reeling in shock. Many questioned how their highly anticipated celebration had become the stage for another act of gun violence, an issue that plagues cities across the United States.
“When are we going to fix these gun laws?” Chiefs defensive end Charles Omenihu wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “How many more people have to die to say enough is enough?”
Other Chiefs players - including quarterback Patrick Mahomes, offensive lineman Donovan Smith, defensive lineman Mike Pennel, and safeties Justin Reid and Mike Edwards - also posted their condolences and messages of support for people in Kansas City on social media.
Offensive lineman Trey Smith shared “a huge thank you to the first responders who ran towards the sound of danger. You’re the ones who should be celebrated today.”
During a news conference Wednesday, Lucas said the city had joined the “club” of places in the nation that have been impacted by gun violence.
“I wish we lived in a world where we wouldn’t have to see incidents like that,” the mayor said.
Later in the day, at a second news conference, Lucas said what happened on Wednesday - and incidents like it in schools, movie theaters and other parades across the country - showed a need for people to “decide what we wish to do” about gun violence. He added that “it seems like almost nothing is safe.”
“I mean, that’s what happens with guns,” Lucas said.
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Des Bieler contributed to this report.
