The Kansas City Chiefs and their fans were celebrating their Super Bowl 58 victory over the San Francisco 49ers when a shooting broke out.
As of right now, the shooting is confirmed to have killed one person and injured 14 others, according to Michael Hopkins of the Kansas City Fire Department. Three of the injured victims are in critical condition.
One parade attendee, Madison Anderes, described the situation in an article from CNN.
“At first we thought it was a string of fireworks,” Anderes told CNN over the phone. Shortly after, she said a man standing in front of them turned around and yelled: “He’s got a gun! He’s got a gun!” Then a second round of pops went off, this time significantly louder.
“That’s when all chaos broke out,” Anderes said, who was knocked down on the ground when everyone started running. “I felt like I was going to die, I felt like a sitting duck and I was going to get shot.”
This Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Parade shooting is the 48th of 2024
The mass shooting that occurred at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade was the 48th mass shooting of the year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
Any shooting with a minimum of four victims shot, injured or killed, qualifies as a mass shooting for the Gun Violence Archive. This does not include any shooter that may have been injured or killed. This definition is the same as the FBI’s.
This is the 154th mass shooting in the state of Missouri since 2013. Kansas City’s Police chief thanked the law enforcement present for running toward the danger in the aforementioned CNN article.
“I’m so proud of them that they ran into danger, getting two people into custody, and at the same time rendering life-sustaining aid to those victims,” Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said.
The governors of Missouri and Kansas were present at the Kansas City Chiefs rally shooting
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly were both present at the shooting that took place at the Kansas City Chiefs rally.
Parson was in attendance with his wife and he took to social media to explain that he and his wife were safe along with praising the actions of the law enforcement that was present.
Governor & First Lady Parson were in attendance when shots were fired near Union Station in KC. They are safe and secure. State law enforcement personnel are assisting local authorities in response efforts. As we wait to learn more, our hearts go out to the victims.
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) February 14, 2024
Governor & First Lady Parson want to thank the Missouri Highway Patrol, KCPD, and their security officers for their quick and professional actions.
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) February 14, 2024
Kelly similarly took to social media to explain that she was out of harm’s way.
At the end of the Chiefs rally, shots were fired near Union Station. I have been evacuated and am out of harm’s way. I encourage everyone to follow instructions and updates from @kcpolice. Please stay safe.
— Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) February 14, 2024
Despite the presence of political figures, indications are that this was not an act of terrorism. Michael Kosnar of NBC News claims that officials believe the shooting is criminal, but not terroristic.
“Officials believe the shooting is criminal in nature, but it is not initially believed to be terrorism, said three law enforcement officials briefed on the case.” Kosnar wrote.
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