By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
KANSAS CITY —Authorities say one person has died and 22 people have been wounded in the shooting after the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl rally outside of Union Station Wednesday.
Eight victims were said to have had 'immediately' life threatening wounds, according to Kansas City Police. Seven are said to have had life threatening wounds. Six suffered minor wounds.
Radio station KKFI said in a Facebook post Wednesday evening that Lisa Lopez-Galvan, host of “Taste of Tejano,” was killed in the shooting.
“This senseless act has taken a beautiful person from her family and this KC Community,” KKFI said in a statement.
Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City reported late Wednesday afternoon that they are treating 12 patients - 11 of whom are children, and eight of them are being treated for gunshot wounds.
A Children's spokesperson confirmed Wednesday evening, though, that none of the children being treated there are in critical condition and all are expected to recover.
University Health spokeswoman Nancy Lewis said the hospital was treating eight gunshot victims. Two were in critical condition and six were in stable condition, she said.
The hospital also was treating four people for other injuries resulting from the chaos after the shooting, Lewis said.
Police say three people had been taken into custody.
At the conclusion of the Chiefs' Super Bowl parade on Wednesday afternoon, shots were fired west of Union Station near the parking garage, where multiple people were struck, according to police.
“This is absolutely a tragedy, the likes of which we never would have expected in Kansas City, the likes of which we’ll remember for some time,” Mayor Quinton Lucas said.
Mayor Lucas confirmed that all Chiefs players, coaches and staff members are safe and accounted for.
“We are truly saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred outside of Union Station at the conclusion of today's parade and rally,” the Chiefs said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and all of Kansas City.”
The NFL issued its own statement saying it was “deeply saddened” and adding that its ”thoughts are with the victims and everyone affected.”
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said he was “heartbroken” by the shooting.
“KC, you mean the world to me,” he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes said in a post on X, “Praying for Kansas City.” He included three emojis of hands in prayer.
Offensive tackle Donovan Smith, defensive tackle Mike Pennel and safety Justin Reid were among the Chiefs players offering similar statements of support on social media.
“My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by today’s incidents — a huge thank you to the first responders who ran towards the sound of danger,” offensive guard Trey Smith posted on X. “You’re the ones who should be celebrated today.”
Mayor Lucas said around 800 law enforcement officers were part of the response, including 250 officers from outside agencies.
"I’m angry at what happened today. The people who came to this celebration should expect a safe environment," Kansas City Police Chiefs Stacey Graves said.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson were at the parade during the gunfire but were unhurt. “Thanks to the professionalism of our security officers and first responders, Teresa and I and our staff are safe and secure,” Parson said in a statement.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting in Kansas City and will continue to receive updates, a White House spokesperson said.
Biden said the shooting “cuts deep in the American soul” and called on people to press Congress to ban assault weapons, to limit high-capacity gun magazines and for other gun measures that have been rejected by Republicans.
“Today’s events should move us, shock us, shame us into acting. What are we waiting for?” he said.
White House officials have been in touch with state and local leaders, and federal law enforcement is on the scene supporting local law enforcement.
Social media users posted shocking video. One user’s video showed someone apparently performing chest compressions on a shooting victim as another person, seemingly writhing in pain, lay on the ground nearby. People screamed in the background.
Another video showed two people chase and tackle a person, holding them down until two police officers arrived.
Areas that had been filled with crowds were empty after the shooting, with police and firefighters standing and talking behind an area restricted by yellow tape.
Throngs had lined the route, with fans climbing trees and street poles, or standing on rooftops for a better view. Players rolled through the crowd on double-decker buses, DJs and drummers heralding their arrival. Owner Clark Hunt was on one of those buses, holding the Lombardi Trophy.
Eyewitness report (Cody Oshel of Weatherby Lake)
