A day of celebration turned into a scene of terror in Kansas City yesterday. As an estimated crowd of 800,000 to one million gathered for the parade and rally for the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win yesterday, gunfire erupted west of Union Station. According to Kansas City Police, one person was killed and at least 21 others were injured, with many of them children. Children’s Mercy Kansas City Hospital treated 12 total victims from the shooting, which included 11 children between the ages of six and 15. The fatality was identified by KKFI 90.1FM as Lisa Lopez-Galvan, an on-air personality at the station who hosted the ”Taste of Tejano” show.
Three suspects were detained at the scene, and firearms were recovered. Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said at a press briefing yesterday that 800 law enforcement officers were at the parade and rally, commenting that “The people who came to this celebration should expect a safe environment.” Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and his wife Teresa were at the celebration when shots rang out, as was Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, who confirmed at the press conference that he and his family also had to run for cover.
While no motive has been established, authorities said late yesterday that they believe it was a criminal action and not intended to be terrorism and said the scene would remain active as investigators had a “large ground to cover.”