The NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs have condemned the mass shooting that killed one person and injured nearly two dozen people, including at least eight children, during Wednesday’s Super Bowl parade celebrating the team’s victory as a “senseless act of violence”.
“We are truly saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred outside Union Station at the end of today’s parade and rally,” the Chiefs said. said in a statement.
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves gave minor details about the shooting during a news conference Wednesday evening, saying three people were in custody. She said she had heard that fans may have been involved in capturing an expected shooter, but she could not immediately confirm that.
Praying for Kansas City… 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) February 14, 2024
Police did not immediately release details about those arrested or a possible motive for the shooting. Graves said firearms were recovered, but did not say what type.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes posted on Twitter/X that he “prayed for Kansas City” while as a teammate Drue Calm downencouraged people to “pray that doctors and first responders would have steady hands and that everyone would experience complete healing.”
After the shooting, Kansas City Chiefs players reportedly left the parade on buses as they tried to calm scared children. The NFL team confirmed that all of its players, staff and families were safe.
Chiefs guard Trey Smith Posted about You are the ones to be celebrated today.”
In a statement also posted to
The shooting Wednesday outside Union Station happened despite more than 800 police officers being in the building and the surrounding area, including at nearby buildings, said Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, who was present with his wife and mother and had to take cover when gunfire broke out.
“I think this is something where we as parents, regular people who live every day, have to decide what we want to do about it,” Lucas said. “Parades, rallies, schools, movies. It seems like almost nothing is safe.”
Prayers for those affected during today’s parade. A time of celebration ends in tragedy. When are we going to improve these gun laws? How many more people have to die for us to say enough is enough? It’s too easy for the wrong people to get guns in America and that’s a FACT.
— Charles Omenihu (@charless_94) February 14, 2024
It’s the latest sports celebration in the U.S. to be marred by gun violence, following a shooting that injured several people in downtown Denver last year after the Nuggets’ NBA championship, and gunfire last year in a parking lot near the Texas Rangers’ World Series. championship parade.