Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade shooting: Players speak out

The Kansas City Chiefs were celebrating their Super Bowl Victory when shots were fired. Panic broke out among the masses concentrated in the streets of the city.

The New York Times describes it as a "rain of gunfire" near Kansas City's Union Station, where thousands of people were celebrating the Super Bowl victory.

What had been joy and celebration turned, in just a few seconds, into unleashed panic, with people running to seek shelter from the shots. The origin of the shots was initially unknown, only exacerbating the chaos.

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The American press estimates that 21 people suffered gunshot wounds. The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department confirmed the death of one person.

Local radio station, KKFI, reported through Facebook that the woman killed in the shooting was one of its workers: Lisa López Galván. KKFI released a statement saying: "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."

Kansas City police confirmed that three people were arrested, two of them carrying firearms. According to the BBC, all three remain in custody as the police try to ascertain what happened.

There is no official word on the number of shooters or the rationale behind the shooting at this time.

Kansas City Missouri Police Chief Stacey Graves described the shooting as a "tragedy" and that at least one firearm had been recovered from the scene.

Graves told reporters that over 800 members of the Kansas City police department were at the parade.

Members of the Kansas City Chiefs expressed their desolation and mourning for the deceased and solidarity with the injured. Travis Kelce posted a statement on X saying: 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." Other team members released statements with a similar sentiment.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, a Chiefs wide receiver posted on X that he was hoping to help in some way by getting in touch with young victims of the shooting. His post read: "I want to make sure they're doing OK, but would love to help them out any way I can and get them some stuff from the team to help with the recovery.

The Chiefs released a statement ensuring fans that all members of the team, including players, coaches, and staff were safe and unharmed.

Authorities are asking for any information from the public as they try to understand what happened to cause the shooting.

There were an estimated one million people expected at the Super Bowl parade, as reported by ABC, as they celebrated their team successfully defending the Super Bowl trophy. A day of celebration that ended in a tragedy.

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Missouri Governor Mike Parson was at the parade with his wife, he told media after the shooting: "State and local law enforcement were prepared, they had a plan, and they ran towards danger when presented, undoubtedly saving lives," as covered by ABC.

US President Joe Biden also released a statement condemning the violence and calling for tougher gun control following another mass shooting. "Today's events should move us, shock us, shame us into action," from the BBC, with the President calling for new laws making the purchase and ownership of guns more difficult.

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