One person was killed, and more than 20 others were injured in a shooting at the end of the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade Wednesday. The violence erupted outside Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri. At least nine children were hurt.
Police say three suspects are being held for questioning.
A popular Kansas City disc jockey, Lisa Lopez-Galvan, was killed in the shooting. The mother of two worked for KKFI radio, which confirmed her death.
“It is with sincere sadness and an extremely heavy and broken heart that we let our community know that KKFI DJ Lisa Lopez, host of Taste of Tejano lost her life today in the shooting at the KC Chiefs’ rally. Our hearts and prayers are with her family,” the station said in a Facebook post on Wednesday night.
“This senseless act has taken a beautiful person from her family and this KC Community,” the statement added.
Chiefs ‘deeply saddened’
The Kansas City Chiefs released a statement on the shooting, expressing their sadness and loss over the tragedy. In the statement, the team said, “We are deeply saddened by this senseless act of gun violence and hate. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the victim’s family and friends.”
Praying for Kansas City… 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) February 14, 2024
One suspect was captured after being tackled by onlookers.
“I’m angry at what happened today,” Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said during a press conference after the shooting. “The people who came to this celebration should expect a safe environment.”
“This is not Kansas City,” she added at the end of the news conference.
Graves said a motive for the shooting is still unknown. At least one firearm has been recovered, she added.
KCTV News was live on the air when the shooting happened. The station’s on-air crew was talking about how well things had gone during the nearly five-hour-long celebration when one of the anchors noticed people running from the scene.
Television viewers witnessed the events live on air as they unfolded.
RELATED: Politicians absorb shock of violence at Chiefs celebration
President Biden calls for action
“The Super Bowl is the most unifying event in America,” President Biden said. “For this joy to be turned to tragedy today in Kansas City cuts deep in the American soul. Today’s events should move us, shock us, shame us into acting.”
Vice President Kamala Harris added, “Today was supposed to be a day of celebration and joy in Kansas City. Instead, it is another day where America has experienced senseless gun violence. It doesn’t have to be this way.
It’s unclear yet how many fans attended the celebration, but media estimates put the number at close to 1 million.
In preparation for the expected crowd size Wednesday, 800 law enforcement officers were on scene for the parade, Graves said. She said the heavy police presence helped in guiding fans to safety once the shooting began and also in administering life-saving aid to gunshot victims.
