1 dead, at least 21 individual injured in shooting at Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl celebration
According to officials, a shooting occurred outside Union Station in Kansas City, Mo. on Wednesday afternoon after the celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl victory had ended. The incident resulted in one fatality and as many as 21 people - including children - being injured.
Following the parade, violence was confirmed by Kansas City radio station KKFI. Lisa Lopez, a disc jockey and mother of two, was reported to have lost her life during this tragic event.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday night, the station conveyed profound sorrow and expressed their heavyheartedness in informing their community of KKFI DJ Lisa Lopez's passing. She hosted Taste of Tejano but lost her life during the Kansas City Chiefs' rally shooting. The station offered condolences to her family and shared that they were keeping them in their thoughts and prayers.
The statement expressed that the KC community and the family have lost a wonderful person due to an unjustifiable act.
The woman who was shot has not been identified by the police and the number of individuals affected by this shooting is subject to change as law enforcement's investigation continues.
According to Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves in the second news conference of the day, three individuals were apprehended by officers. This updated their earlier count of two suspects in custody.
According to her, an individual was apprehended following a pursuit on foot by law enforcement.
Earlier in the evening, Graves voiced his anger about what happened today. He firmly believes that those who attended this celebration deserved to feel secure and protected while doing so.
At the conclusion of the news conference, she stated that this was not Kansas City.
According to Graves, the reason behind the shooting is yet to be determined and she also mentioned that one firearm has been retrieved.
"Today was meant to be a day of festivities and happiness in Kansas City, but Vice President Kamala Harris has stated that it is instead another unfortunate day where our nation has been subjected to irrational gun violence. Such incidents are avoidable."
The number of fans who attended the celebration remains undefined, however NPR's KCUR member station reported a count of nearly 1 million individuals in last year's victory parade flocking around downtown for the rally.
800 law enforcement officers were present at the parade on Wednesday in anticipation of a large crowd. According to Graves, their significant presence was instrumental in ensuring fan safety during the shooting and providing critical help to those who suffered gunshot wounds.
After the parade rally concluded, a shooting occurred to the west of Union Station according to Graves. Social media videos indicate people hurriedly fleeing from Union station as law enforcement swiftly responded.
Many families were in attendance
According to Kelly, she was evacuated from the scene and kept in a secure location where no harm could come her way.
According to Mayor Lucas, officials have been in touch with the Chiefs and reported that every player, coach, and staff member on the team is safe and has been confirmed.
As the team members rode a bus through downtown, thousands of exuberant fans decked out in red, gold and white cheered them on to start off the day.
At 11 a.m. local time, the parade was to commence followed by a rally at Union Station immediately after its conclusion, scheduled around 12:45 p.m.
Reports of shots fired were issued by the police at approximately 2:30 p.m. CST.
KCUR reports that this tragedy follows a year of unprecedented levels of homicides in Kansas City, with 185 cases recorded - exceeding the previous record set in 2020 and marking it as its deadliest year yet.
As the story evolves, updates will follow.