One killed, 21 injured in Super Bowl shooting celebrating Kansas City Chiefs win Missouri

One person was killed and 21 others, including nine children, were injured in a shooting at the end of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade following their second straight victory over Missouri on Wednesday. Following the incident, police arrested three suspects in the firing case, causing the crowd, including city mayor Quinton Lucas and his relatives, to run for their lives. Authorities treated eight victims who were in immediate life-threatening condition, as well as seven others who suffered injuries that could have been fatal, BBC News reported.

“I’m extremely upset and disappointed. I was there with my wife, I was there with my mother. I never imagined that we, along with the Chiefs players, the fans, hundreds of thousands of people, would be forced to leave today for our own safety. Run for it,” the mayor said.

The shooting happened just west of Union Station in downtown Kansas City, where thousands of Super Bowl fans had gathered for the victory parade on Wednesday. According to a BBC News report, the parade ended outside the station at 14:00 local time (20:00 GMT) and according to reports Kansas City Chiefs players were still on the stage when the shooting began.

Officials said more than 800 police officers were present at the scene to monitor the parade, as well as being deployed on top of some buildings to guarantee the safety of spectators. Additionally, the city fire department was ready to provide medical assistance if needed.

Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said officers responded quickly as the shooting began and detectives who were already on the scene immediately began investigating, BBC News reported.

Injured victims were taken to three local hospitals and life-threatening cases were taken to hospital on priority basis within 10 minutes of the shooting. Nine children suffering from gunshot wounds are being treated at Children’s Mercy Hospital, which cares for patients under the age of 17.

Apart from those injured in the firing, those who sustained other injuries in the stampede that followed the firing are also being treated at local hospitals. City officials have refrained from releasing the names or ages of the victims. They have also withheld information about the arrested suspects, including details about possible motives behind the shootings, BBC News reports.

However, according to law enforcement source CBS News, the shooting appears to be the result of a heated argument that turned into violence. It said the shooting was not linked to terrorism.

Police said they are continuing to investigate the motive and are in the process of collecting both digital and physical evidence. He urged any witnesses or individuals with relevant information to come forward and contact law enforcement.

The Kansas City Chiefs released a statement confirming the safety and whereabouts of all players, coaches, staff and their respective families. The team expressed that it was “truly saddened by the senseless act of violence.”