One dead as 22 shot near end of Chiefs’ victory parade

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — One person died and 21 others were shot and injured in a mass shooting at the end of the Chiefs' Super Bowl parade Wednesday, authorities said.

Three people were arrested and are under investigation, Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said during a news conference Wednesday evening.

Of those shot, eight were in life-threatening condition, seven were in life-threatening condition and six had minor injuries, Kansas City Fire Chief Ross Grundyson said at the news conference.

“I’m angry about what happened today,” Graves said. “People who came to this celebration should expect a safe environment.”

Kansas City radio station KKFI said one of its DJs, Lisa Lopez-Galvan, who hosted “Taste of Tejano,” died in the shooting. It was not immediately clear whether his death was as authorities said.

“This senseless act took a beautiful person from her family and this KC community,” the station said in a statement.

Lopez-Galvan, whose DJ name was “Lisa G,” was an outgoing and dedicated mother of two from a prominent Latino family in the area, said Rosa Izurieta and Martha Ramirez, two childhood friends who worked with her in a personnel placement company. Izurieta said Lopez-Galvan attended the parade with her husband and adult son, a Kansas City sports fan who was also shot.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said all Chiefs players, coaches and staff were safe, which was later confirmed by the team. in a report.

“We are truly saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred outside of Union Station at the end of today's parade and rally,” the team said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and all of Kansas City.”

Stephanie Meyer, chief nursing officer at Children's Mercy Kansas City, said she was treating 12 patients from the gathering, including 11 children ages 6 to 15. The hospital told KMBC-TV that nine of the children suffered gunshot wounds. Meyer said everyone is expected to recover.

Asked about the children's condition, Meyer responded: “Fear. The only word I would use to describe what we saw and how they came towards us was fear.”

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 was also treating four people for other injuries resulting from the chaos following the shooting, Lewis said.

St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City received one gunshot patient in critical condition and three walk-ins with non-life-threatening injuries, spokeswoman Laurel Gifford said.

The University of Kansas Health System received at least one person injured in the shooting.

The NFL said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened by the senseless shooting that occurred today near the end of the rally in Kansas City for the Chiefs. Our hearts go out to the victims and all those affected. We are grateful for the Rapid and thorough response from law enforcement and emergency personnel.

Social media users posted a shocking video. One user's video showed someone apparently performing chest compressions on a gunshot victim while another person, apparently writhing in pain, lay on the ground nearby. People were shouting in the background. Another video showed two bystanders chasing and attacking someone, holding them to the ground until two police officers arrived.

Graves said police were working to determine if any of the three people arrested were the person addressed in the video. Police did not immediately release any details about those arrested or a possible motive for the shooting. Graves said firearms were recovered, but did not specify what type of weapons were used.

“This is absolutely a tragedy, one that we could never have expected in Kansas City, and one that we will remember for some time to come,” Lucas said.

Joe Sciara, a 59-year-old Kansas City native who was marching in the parade with his family, told ESPN's Paula Lavigne that the shooting began “immediately after the last speech” at the rally.

“I saw people running in all directions… From where I was standing, my first thought was that the sound was so fast that it reminded me more of firecrackers than a gun. fire,” Sciara said. So at first I wasn't panicked, but as everyone started running we had no choice but to start running. When I looked back I continued looking for the shooter because I wanted to make sure we weren't running toward the shooter. I couldn't see a shooter. I saw people on the ground, several people on the ground, but I couldn't tell if they had been shot or trampled. The mass of people was difficult to describe.

Several Chiefs players took to social media to express concern for the victims following the shooting.

Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes Released on“Praying for Kansas City…”, also including three praying hand emojis.

Tight end Travis Kelce also posted: “I am heartbroken by the tragedy that took place today. My heart goes out to everyone who came to celebrate with us and was touched. KC, you are all for me.”

Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill released on“Please join me in praying for all the victims of this heinous act. Pray for medics and first responders to have steady hands and for all to experience a full recovery.”

Offensive lineman Trey Smith wrote“My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by today's incidents – a huge thank you to the first responders who ran at the sound of danger. You are the ones who should be celebrated today.”

Missouri Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson were at the parade when shots were fired, but they are safe, Parson posted on.

“State law enforcement is assisting local authorities in their response efforts,” Parson said. “While we wait to learn more, our thoughts are with the victims.”

President Joe Biden, who was briefed on the shooting and received updates throughout the day, said the tragedy “deeply wounds the American soul” and called on people to pressure Congress to ban assault weapons, limit high-capacity firearm magazines and take action on others. measures relating to firearms.

“Today’s events should move us, shock us, shame us and inspire us to action,” Biden said. “What are we waiting for?”

The shooting shattered the festive Valentine's Day mood as Chiefs fans celebrated their third Super Bowl title in five seasons.

Areas that had been filled with crowds were empty after the shooting, with police and firefighters standing and talking behind an area marked off with yellow tape.

Wednesday's parade is the latest sports celebration in the United States to be marred by gun violence, following a shooting that injured at least 10 people last year in downtown Denver following the Nuggets' NBA championship, and gunfire last year in a parking lot near the Texas Rangers. “World Series Championship Parade.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.