What We Know So Far
On February 14, a hail of bullets broke out near a downtown Kansas City, Missouri, celebration honoring the Super Bowl-winning Chiefs, leaving one person dead and at least 22 others injured. The incident caused panic among the large crowd of fans that had gathered for the festivities.
Investigation and Victims
Three individuals were taken into custody and are currently under investigation in connection to the violent incident near Union Station, according to Police Chief Stacey Graves, who spoke at a news conference. Among the injured were several children, with the youngest being six years old.
According to Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves, the shooting seemed to be a dispute between several people that ended up in gunfire. Two of the suspects arrested were under 18 years of age.
Out of those hit by the gunfire, one woman lost her life, while 15 others sustained life-threatening injuries, as reported by Fire Department Chief Ross Grundyson. The deceased has been identified as Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a disc jockey at local radio station KKFI and host of the show “Taste of Tejano.” Lopez-Galvan, 43, known as Lisa G, was not only a vibrant personality but also a dedicated mother of two from a respected local Latino family, say her long-time friends and colleagues Rosa Izurieta and Martha Ramirez, with whom Lisa worked at a personnel placement firm. Izurieta added that Lopez-Galvan had been at the parade with her spouse and her older son, a fervent follower of Kansas City sports, who was also a victim of the shooting.
Community and Official Response
Mayor Quinton Lucas lamented the widespread issue of gun violence in the U.S., stating that it poses significant challenges to the security of public events, despite the presence of hundreds of law enforcement officers. Lucas, who was also present when the shooting occurred, described how he and others sought cover at the sound of gunfire.
Details surrounding the incident still remain murky a day after the shooting, with authorities working to establish the full extent of the casualties and the age range of the victims.
The Scene and Aftermath
At the time of the shooting, around 800 law enforcement officers were on duty, including agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The Chiefs confirmed that all players, coaches, and staff were safe following the incident.
The shooting took place near a garage by Union Station during the victory rally that followed the parade. Social media videos depicted the ensuing chaos, with numerous police officers rushing into the building while bystanders fled in the opposite direction. Rapid gunfire could be heard in footage shared online.
Union Station, a historic 109-year-old Beaux Arts building, was once a major U.S. rail hub and is now a museum and terminal for Amtrak passenger service. The rally featured Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce and other teammates, while Kelce’s girlfriend, pop star Taylor Swift, was touring in Australia.
In the aftermath of the incident, Chiefs’ players and the NFL issued statements expressing their sorrow and calling for prayers for the victims. Missouri Governor Mike Parson and Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, who were both present at the rally, confirmed their safety and thanked law enforcement for their response.
U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated his call for stricter gun control measures in the wake of the shooting.
The Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in overtime to win the Super Bowl, marking their fourth NFL championship.