Tragedy struck Kansas City Wednesday as gunmen opened fire during the parade celebrating the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory. According to police, one person has died and at least 22 have been shot. The Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City indicated at a news conference that it has treated eleven children between the ages of six and 15, nine of whom suffered gunshot wounds.
Hospital officials said none of the children are in critical condition, and all are expected to make a full recovery. Kansas City radio station KKFI announced that one of its DJs, Lisa Lopez, was killed in the shooting.
“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,” the radio station shared in a Facebook post. “Our hearts and prayers are with her family . . . This senseless act has taken a beautiful person from her family and this KC Community.”
Kansas City police chief Stacey Graves said at a press conference after the violence ended that her department had taken three suspects into custody, but police have not released any details regarding the suspects’ identities. Graves said her department has recovered the firearms it believes the assailants used, but she did not provide any additional information about the weapons.
“I’m angry at what happened here today,” Graves said. “The people who came to this celebration should expect a safe environment.”
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, who was among the crowd of people running from the scene of the crime on Wednesday, emphasized the incongruity of a shooting occurring during a Super Bowl parade.
“This is a day that a lot of people look forward to, something they remember for a lifetime,” Lucas said. “And what they shouldn’t have to remember is the threat of gun violence marring a day like this.”
While Kansas City awaits more information about the identities of the suspects taken into custody, members of the Chiefs have already spoken out. Tight end Travis Kelce wrote on X: “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.” Quarterback Patrick Mahomes sent his own X post, saying he was “praying for Kansas City.”
The Chiefs organization issued a statement Wednesday evening saying it “was truly saddened by the senseless acts of violence that occurred outside of Union Station at the conclusion of today’s parade and rally” and that the team’s “hearts go out to the victims, their families, and all of Kansas City.”
“We are in close communication with the Mayor’s office as well as the Kansas City Police Department,” the statement continued. “At this time, we have confirmed that all our players, coaches, staff and their families are safe and accounted for. We thank the local law enforcement officers and first responders who were on-scene to assist.”