[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
Multiple people have been injured and one has died after a reported mass shooting near the site of the terminus of the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade.
On Wednesday, the team and thousands of fans gathered in Kansas City, Missouri to celebrate their win last weekend. But right as the festivities wrapped up, a shooting broke out near Union Square where players had been giving speeches. In the police department’s first hurried statement on the matter, KC residents who came downtown for the parade were asked to evacuate the area quickly so those in need of medical assistance could be reached.
According to the Kansas City Fire Department officials via ABC News, one person is dead and nine are injured. Then, not long after that report came out, CNN reported that the number of those injured is at 14. Stacey Graves, the chief of police for the Kansas City Police Department, later told that news outlet that the number injured “could be upwards from 10 to 15.”
Three victims are in critical condition, five are in serious condition, and one has non-life-threatening injuries. The victims were hospitalized, per Kansas City Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins, NBC News reported. Five people, including three with gunshot wounds, were taken to University Health hospital, a facility spokesperson confirmed. Per CNN, all Chiefs staffers, coaches, and players are accounted for, safe, and unharmed.
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Two unidentified individuals were detained after the incident near a garage west of Union Square, near where the parade route ended. So far, it is unclear if they were connected to the shooting or what the motive may have been.
President Joe Biden‘s team is said to be “closely monitoring” the situation, with a senior White House official noting that “federal law enforcement is on scene supporting local law enforcement.” Authorities are expected to share more information on the tragic turn of events in a press conference later today.
Ugh. Our thoughts and prayers to all the victims. This story is developing, and we’ll bring you further updates as they become available.
To learn more about the impact of gun violence, visit https://www.apha.org/topics-and-issues/gun-violence.
[Image via Associated Press/YouTube]
