DETROIT (WWJ) — As Kansas City police investigate the shooting at the Chiefs’ Super Bowl celebration on Wednesday, officials say there are no signs of terrorism or a planned attack.
One person was killed and as many as 30 others were injured when gunfire erupted near the end of the rally. Three people, including two teenagers, are being detained as the investigation continues.
The incident prompted Detroit Police Chief James White on Thursday to address security for the upcoming NFL Draft, set to be held in Downtown Detroit April 25-27.
Thursday marks 10 weeks out from the start of the NFL Draft, which is expected to draw up to 300,000 people to the Metro Detroit area. And while White says he can make no specific promises when it comes to security, he is confident his department and other members of law enforcement will be ready.
“These larger scale events are not new to us. We have everything from Taylor Swift to Beyonce… the Lions this year did their thing very well. They brought about 70,000 fans every week. So we are prepared,” White said at a press conference. “We’ve got a very comprehensive strategy of deployment and we’re very confident that our community is ready for this event.”
White noted officers, both uniformed and undercover, will be enforcing gun-free zones in and around the draft, while there will be a large police presence in the downtown area.
“Our community deserves a safe event. And we don’t make promises, but we’re confident in the fact that we’re gonna be able to deliver that,” White said, noting the planning process for this spring’s big event has been underway for two years.
The planning process has “intensified” as the date has drawn closer.
White said the department will certainly dissect Wednesday’s events in Kansas City in preparation for the draft, but it won’t alter their plans.
“Certainly, we’ll look at what’s happened and we’re going to study it, like we study, unfortunately, events that have happened throughout our country already this year, but we’re not going to change our plan,” White said.
MORE: Man who stopped Chiefs parade shooting suspect said he looked ‘sketchier’ than everyone else