Authorities have stated that a shooting at Union Station on Wednesday afternoon left one person dead and twenty-one others, including children, injured following the Kansas City Chiefs‘ Super Bowl triumph party in Kansas City, Missouri.
The mother of two children, Lisa Lopez, was one of the disc jockeys for Kansas City radio station KKFI, and it was established that she was shot and killed amid the chaos that followed the parade.
We tell our community that KKFI DJ Lisa Lopez, host of Taste of Tejano, passed away tonight during the shooting at the KC Chiefs rally with deep sorrow and a sorrowful heart. We send our condolences and sympathies to her family,” the station wrote on Facebook on Wednesday evening.
It went on to say, “This senseless act has taken a beautiful person from her family and her community.”
The woman who was shot remains unidentified, according to the police. The investigation by law enforcement is still ongoing, and the number of casualties from the incident is growing.
Chief of Police of Kansas City Steve Graves gave an update at the second press conference of the day, saying that three people, including an update on the two suspects previously mentioned, had been taken into custody by the police.
He said that after officers chased on foot, one suspect was taken into custody.
A little earlier in the evening, Graves expressed his frustration with the events of today. “Those who attended this celebration should have expected a safe environment.”
Finally, he said, “This is not Kansas City,” capping the news conference.
Graves stated that the shooting’s motivation is still a mystery. In addition, he said that at least one gun had been found.
“The Super Bowl is the most united event in America,” said President Biden. The tragic transformation of today’s Kansas City celebration serves as a reminder of the limits of the American character. The circumstances of today force us to be surprised, moved, and ashamed of our performance.”
“Today should have been a day of celebration and joy in Kansas City,” Vice President Kamala Harris continued. Rather, it is just another day that America must deal with the needless carnage caused by firearms. This is not how things should be.
Although the exact number of spectators attending the event is still unknown, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority stated that about 100,000 people saw the winning parade the previous year.
800 law enforcement personnel were on hand for the march on Wednesday, according to Graves, in anticipation of the large audience that was anticipated. He claimed that once the gunshots stopped, the strong police presence assisted in directing bystanders to safety and helped rescue individuals who had been shot.
According to accounts, the shooting began right after the Union Station march protest ended. Social media videos appear to show people running from Union Station as police show there.
A large number of families took part in the triumph march, and Children’s Mercy Hospital announced that it had admitted 12 patients from the event, including one adult and 11 children who had been shot. While physicians and personnel at Children’s Mercy stated they treated the injured children, ages 6 to 15, fire chief R. G. Dugan was unable to immediately confirm the ages of the victims.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas disclosed that he had considered inviting his own child to the festivities. He said that he went to the parade with his mother and wife.
According to Lucas, “Like many others, I ran for cover for protection when the shooting started.”
The mayor sent a message to the locals expressing his displeasure and “broken heart.” “It’s a day many have been waiting for, one they should cherish forever,” he said. The possibility of gun violence on such a day, which could damage them and their households, is something they shouldn’t have to worry about.”
Along with Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, other dignitaries in attendance during the victory parade were First Lady Teresa Parson and Governor Mike Parson of Missouri.
Governor Parson wrote on Twitter, “Our hearts go out to the victims, and as we await further details, state law enforcement officers are assisting in response activities.”
Kelly claimed that she was taken “away from harm’s way” and out of the picture.
Mayor Lucas stated that he has been in communication with Chiefs officials and has been informed that all of the team’s members—players, coaches, and staff—are safe and well.
Just hours before the massacre in the city, quarterback Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs was riding in a parade van when he posted on social media, “Praying for Kansas City…”
Police Report:
About 2:30 AM, reports of shooting were made to the police. As to KCUR, the occurrence follows a record-breaking year for homicides in Kansas City in 2023. The number of homicide cases in 2020 was surpassed by the record of 185 cases recorded in the previous year.
