A day of celebration turned into mayhem and chaos in Kansas City. Scores of Chiefs fans poured into the city to celebrate their team’s Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers. It was a routine ticker tape event until shots rang out near Kansas City’s Union Station, the parade’s endpoint.
Two suspects were arrested, but their identities haven’t been released. Twenty-two people were injured, three of which are in critical condition. Eleven of the casualties are children. One person has tragically died. Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves delivered a press conference to update the public around 4:45 PM EST. President Joe Biden has also been briefed on the incident (via ABC News):
One person is dead and 10 to 15 people are injured from a shooting in Kansas City, Missouri, following the parade and rally for the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win, officials said.
The exact number of gunshot victims was not immediately clear, Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said, calling the shooting a “tragedy.”
Two suspects have been taken into custody, she said.
Three victims are in critical condition and five are in serious condition, according to the Kansas City Fire Department.
The shooting took place west of Union Station, near the garage, as Chiefs fans were leaving, according to Kansas City police.
About 1 million paradegoers were expected at Wednesday’s celebration.
The police chief said 800 law enforcement officers were at the parade and rally.
“I am angry,” Graves said. “The people who came to this celebration should expect a safe environment.”
Chiefs players are safe and accounted for, with many, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes, taking to social media to express their sorrow over this shooting. Chief Graves added that a third person was detained. As of now, KC police and authorities are working with federal agencies, analyzing the mountains of tips and information coming in, and working to identify the deceased so they can reach out to the next of kin. They’re also working with the surviving victims to reunite them with their families. The total number of those shot today in Kansas City rests at twenty-two, with one fatality.
This is still an active investigation.
UPDATE: 11 children were injured in the shooting; nine had gunshot wounds, but all are expected to make a full recovery.
