At least one person died and 21 were injured in a shooting that occurred at the end of the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl celebration parade in the American city of Kansas City (Missouri).
Among the 21 gunshot wounds, eight are considered in immediate danger of death, seven with life-threatening injuries and six with minor injuries, according to the Chief of the Kansas City Fire Department, Ross Grundyson, in a press conference.
The total number of victims is not definitive and may still increase.
The head of the local Police Department, Stacey Graves, reported in that same press conference the arrest of a third person during the event, which adds to the “two armed people” detained that had been previously reported and those who moment they are considered suspicious.
One of the arrested people was overpowered by fans.
The victims at the Super Bowl celebration
Local media reported that a significant number of victims could be minors since Mercy Children’s Hospital has received a dozen patients.
The event took place in the vicinity of Union Station, the central railway station in Kansas City, the end point of the Kansas City Chiefs celebration parade and where numerous fans were concentrated.
“I am angry about what happened today. People who attended this celebration should expect a safe environment,” said Graves, who reported that there were nearly 800 agents in the event’s security detail.
In the state of Missouri it is legal to carry weapons on the street.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas confessed that he himself “had to run when he heard the shots,” as did hundreds of people.
“Myself, my wife, a lot of families, players, members of the Chiefs, their families, a lot of people who were at Union Station or nearby. So a lot of people have been affected,” he added.
Lucas insisted on the large police deployment, particularly near the station and on the rooftops, but lamented that “this is what happens with weapons.”
“Parades, demonstrations, schools, movie theaters, it seems like almost nothing is safe,” he said.
Support messages
The White House reported that the President of the United States, Joe Biden, has received a report on what happened, as is usually the case with cases of shootings in the country.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes posted a message on the social network X in which he said: “Praying for Kansas City.”
The Kansas City Chiefs also reacted with a statement: “We are saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred at the conclusion of today’s parade. “Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and all of Kansas City.”
The Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos also expressed their dismay at what happened in a joint statement.
“Our hearts go out to ‘Chiefs Kingdom’ after the tragic events and shocking violence that occurred during the parade in Kansas City,” they lamented.
Thousands of people took to the streets of Kansas City to celebrate Super Bowl LVIII with their team, which they won on Sunday in a game against the San Francisco 49ers by 25-22.
Minutes before the event, a bus in which the players were parading – including the singer Taylor Swift ‘s boyfriend , tight end Travis Kelce – had toured the streets of the city to celebrate the victory with the fans.
The singer, who was at the game in Las Vegas on Sunday, did not participate in the festivities this Wednesday.
BY: Ch Fahad Khan Janda