‘Dispute’ believed to be behind Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade shooting
The mass shooting which killed one person and injured 22 was not linked to terrorism, police said.
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The mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory rally which killed one person and injured 22, is believed to have been caused by a personal altercation, according to police.
Gunshots rang out towards the end of the parade near Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri on Wednesday, as hundreds of thousands attended the rally to mark the Chiefs’ championship win.
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves told reporters on Thursday the shooting was not linked to terrorism or “homegrown violent extremism”.
“This appeared to be a dispute between several people that ended in gunfire.”
Police said three suspects including two juveniles have been detained and several guns were recovered.
Charges have not yet been filed.
Mother-of-two and local DJ Lisa Lopez-Galvan has been identified as the deceased victim.
Ms Lopez-Galvan, in her mid-40s, died during surgery at a local hospital for a gunshot wound to her abdomen, loved ones confirmed to the Kansas City Star.
“She was the most wonderful, beautiful person,” Lisa Lopez, a longtime friend of no relation who works as The Star’s newsroom executive administrative assistant, told the newspaper.
“She was a local DJ. She did everybody’s weddings. We all know her. She was so full of life.”
According to friends and family, Ms Lopez-Galvan’s adult son also suffered a gunshot wound and one of her two cousins, believed to be minors, was injured in the chaos.
The shooting victims range in age between eight and 47 years old, police said. At least half of the victims are under the age of 16.
Twelve people were taken to Children’s Mercy Hospital, including nine children who had been shot. All are expected to recover, according to officials.
Police thanked those who responded and “physically stopped a person believed to be involved in the incident”.
“I want to thank the people who acted bravely yesterday alongside law enforcement. Your selfless act did not go unnoticed,” Ms Graves said.
A viral video shared online appeared to show “heroic” Kansas City Chiefs fans tackling one of the alleged shooters.
Bystander, Paul Contreras, who attended the parade with his three daughters, was one of the individuals who helped tackle the man.
“It was just a reaction. He was running the wrong way. There was another gentleman just screaming at the top of his lungs, ‘This guy, tackle him’ … I took him down,” Mr Contreras told Today.
“I wasn’t sure until he came running, and I had a perfect angle to do what I did. I took him down. As I took him down, I see the weapon, the gun, fall to the ground.”
Renewed calls for gun laws
US President Joe Biden renewed his calls for Congress to ban assault weapons following the shooting, arguing the tragedy should “shock” and “shame” Americans into acting.
“The celebration of a Super Bowl win is a moment that brings a joy that can’t be matched to the winning team and their supporters. For this joy to be turned to tragedy today in Kansas City cuts deep in the American soul,” Biden said in a statement.
“It is time to act. That’s where I stand. And I ask the country to stand with me. To make your voice heard in Congress so we finally act to ban assault weapons, to limit high-capacity magazines, strengthen background checks, keep guns out of the hands of those who have no business owning them or handling them.”
He said gun violence is ripping families apart and there have been more “mass shootings in 2024 than there have been days in the year”.
“We have to decide who we are as a country. For me, we’re a country where people should have the right to go to school, to go to church, to walk the street — and to attend a Super Bowl celebration — without fear of losing your life to gun violence.
“Jill and I pray for those killed and injured today in Kansas City, and for our country to find the resolve to end this senseless epidemic of gun violence tearing us at the seams.”
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said he was “heartbroken” following the fatal shooting.
“I am heartbroken over the tragedy that took place today,” Kelce wrote on social media.
“My heart is with all who came out to celebrate with us and have been affected. KC, you mean the world to me.”
I am heartbroken over the tragedy that took place today. My heart is with all who came out to celebrate with us and have been affected. KC, you mean the world to me.
— Travis Kelce (@tkelce) February 15, 2024
His team also condemned the shooting and confirmed all players, coaches, staff and their families were “safe and accounted for”.
“We are truly saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred outside of Union Station at the conclusion of today’s parade and rally,” the champion team said in a statement.
“Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and all of Kansas City … We thank the local law enforcement officers and first responders who were on-scene to assist.”
Originally published as ‘Dispute’ believed to be behind Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade shooting
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