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At least one person was killed and 10 others were injured in a shooting near Kansas City’s Union Station on Wednesday afternoon, police said, shortly after the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory parade.
“Shoots were fired near a garage on the west side of Union Station, injuring multiple people. Two gunmen were taken into custody pending further investigation.” Kansas City police told X. Previously on Twitter, just after 2pm local time.
Police Chief Stacey Graves said 10 to 15 people were injured, but the total number of victims has not yet been confirmed. Several people near the parade route were carried away on stretchers.
At least 600 police officers were guarding the parade route, local officials said. Hundreds of thousands of people were expected to attend Sunday’s parade celebrating the Chiefs’ victory.
Kansas City police announced on X that a “child reunification station” has been set up at the front entrance of Union Station and at 2301 Main Street. “There are still a few people who need to be reunited,” the tweet read. Police also asked anyone who witnessed the shooting to go to a corner near Union Station.
State officials “saved harm” by attending parade
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said he and First Lady Teresa Parson were attending the parade at the time of the shooting, but that everyone was safely evacuated.
“State law enforcement personnel are assisting local governments with response efforts.” Parson said in a social media post. “Our hearts go out to the victims as we await further clarification.”
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, who was also at the rally, posted an update saying she was safe.
“At the end of the Chiefs rally, there was a shooting near Union Station. I have evacuated and am not in danger. I encourage everyone to follow instructions and updates from… @kcpolice. Please stay safe. ” Kelly told X.
Witnesses describe chaos at the time of the shooting
Kevin Sanders, 53, of Lenexa, Kansas, said he heard what sounded like firecrackers, then people running. After the initial confusion, calm returned and he didn’t think much about it. But 10 minutes later, he said, ambulances started arriving.
“It’s unfortunate that someone had to spoil the celebration, but we’re in a big city,” Sanders said.
Ofilio Martinez, 48, said he heard gunshots a few blocks away about 10 to 15 minutes before the gunfire erupted at the rally near Union Station.
“This makes me nervous and scared,” he said.
The shooting occurred less than 30 minutes after Chiefs fans finished a parade celebrating their Super Bowl victory. The rally was scheduled to end at Union Station with speeches from players and coaches.
Gun advocates call for change after mass shooting
Everytown, Moms Demand Action and Student Demand Action said in a release Wednesday that the Super Bowl victory parade was supposed to be “pure joy” but turned into a tragedy for the community. MDA Executive Director Angela Ferrell Zavala said in her statement that the shootings are a sign that politicians are rolling back gun laws.
John Feinblatt, executive director of Everytown for Gun Safety, said: “This shooting shows that no parade, no church, no school, really, anywhere is safe from America’s gun violence crisis. It reminded me of that again.”
The shooting occurred on the sixth anniversary of the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida. There, 17 people were killed by a gunman serving multiple life sentences without parole.
Tara Bennett, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action, attended the parade and said in a release that her city was heartbroken by the shooting.
“It’s ridiculous that we can’t celebrate our city’s victory without risking our lives. We’re not going to let this get us down. We’re Kansas City strong.”
− crystal nurse
Contributed by: Associated Press
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