At a little after 2 p.m. CT Wednesday, the Kansas City Police Department reported that shots have been fired around Union Station and at least one person has been reported dead. A parade was rolling through town to celebrate the Kansas City Chiefs for taking home another Super Bowl trophy.
Photos showed crowds gathered in front of the station wearing the team’s red color. According to a CNN report, up to 22 people were injured in the shooting, and an estimated 1 million people were in the city for the parade. University Health Truman Medical Center spokesperson Keith King said five of the injured persons were transported there. ABC News reported that one person was dead, citing the Kansas City Fire Department.
"It is with sincere sadness and an extremely heavy and broken heart that we let our community know that KKFI DJ Lisa Lopez-Galvan, host of Taste of Tejano lost her life today in the shooting at the KC Chiefs' rally. Our hearts and prayers are with her family. We encourage anyone who feels they saw something to reach out to law enforcement at 816 234 5111," said the deceased radio DJ's employer, KKFI 90.1 FM, in a Facebook post. "This senseless act has taken a beautiful person from her family and this KC Community."
“Please leave the area,” said an X post from police. They said that the area should be cleared so that victims can receive quick medical attention. Motorists were advised to avoid the Union Station parking garage and to allow first responders into the area. A child reunification area was set up inside the station as of Wednesday afternoon. There is also an area where witnesses of the shooting can go.
They also said they were working to determine the number of victims and less than 20 minutes later said they were releasing everyone from the station. Breaking 4 News shared video footage from the incident.
“Shots were fired west of Union Station near the garage and multiple people were struck,” authorities added. “We took two armed people into custody for more investigation.”
Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs posted on X Wednesday afternoon that he was praying for Kansas City.
Kansas City Fire Chief Ross Grundyson said during a Wednesday evening press conference that there was a total of 22 gunshot victims. In addition to University Health Truman Medical Center, victims were sent to St. Luke’s and Children’s Mercy. Grundyson confirmed that Children’s Mercy accepts patients up to 17 years old. CNN reported that the children's hospital received 12 patients and that 11 were between the ages of 6 and 15. The outlet said local hospitals told them a total of 29 people had been treated due to the incident.
He said eight of the victims had immediately life-threatening injuries and that they were transported to hospitals within 10 minutes. Seven had non-immediate life-threatening injures and six had minor injuries.
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said that authorities are working to determine the potential motive for the tragic shooting.
“Many people have been touched by this incident and we recognize that,” said Mayor Quinton Lucas during a press conference.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.