The shots left one dead and caused numerous fans to run in terror for cover, in another sporting celebration in the United States that is stained by gun violence.
A radio station identified one of the deceased as one of its workers, a Hispanic announcer.
Radio station KKFI reported on Facebook in the evening that its host Lisa López, host of the program “Taste of Tejano,” was killed in the shooting.
“This senseless attack has left a family and this Kansas City community without a beautiful person,” KKFI reported in a statement.
Investigation
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves gave details of the dead and injured at a press conference. She said that three people were detained and that, according to the versions she had heard, a group of amateurs captured a suspect.
However, Graves could not confirm that information.
“I am angry about what happened today. The people who came to celebrate expect to have a safe environment,” the police chief said.
Authorities did not reveal details about the people detained or a possible motive for the attacks. Graves said some firearms were recovered, but did not explain what type.
“There is a lot of work ahead. “We are just in the early stages,” she commented. “And all of this is being actively investigated.”
The attack occurred despite more than 800 police officers stationed at the train station building and in the area, including on the roofs of several nearby buildings, Mayor Quinton Lucas said.
It is the latest sporting event to be marred by gun violence in the United States. Last year, a shooting in downtown Denver after the Nuggets’ NBA crown left several people injured.
Also in 2023, a shooting occurred in a parking lot near the parade with which the Texas Rangers celebrated winning the World Series.
moments of anguish
Some people posted shocking videos on social media. One of the images shows someone apparently performing chest compressions on a shooting victim, while another person, who is lying on the ground, writhes in pain. People are crying behind.
In another video, two people are seen chasing and attacking another, holding them on the ground until two police officers arrive.
Lisa Money, of Kansas City, Kansas, was trying to gather some confetti near the parade when she heard someone yell, “Down, down, everyone down!”
Initially, Money thought someone was pulling a prank until he saw the special forces jumping the fence.
“I can’t believe it really happened. Who in their right mind would do something like that? “This was supposed to be a day of celebration for everyone in the city and surrounding areas and they have some idiot who wants to come and do something like that,” she said.
Kevin Sanders, 53, from Lenexa, Kansas, said he heard a sound like fireworks and then saw people running. After the initial blast there was calm and he thought no more about it. But he said the ambulances started arriving after 10 minutes.
“It sucks that someone had to ruin the celebration, but we’re in a big city,” Sanders said.
Children taken to hospitals
Lisa Augustine, a spokeswoman for Mercy Kansas City Children’s Hospital, said that clinic was treating 12 patients who were in the parade, including 11 children, some of whom had gunshot wounds.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson and his wife were at the parade when the shots were fired but they are fine, Parson said on the social network X.
President Joe Biden was informed of the shooting and would continue to receive updates, a White House spokesperson said.
“State police personnel are assisting local law enforcement in their response,” Parson posted. “As we wait to learn more, our hearts go out to the victims.”
Historic Super Bowl:
This year’s edition of the Super Bowl set a viewership record, according to early reports. In addition to the interest in the commitment between the two best teams of last season, it also had an effect that the popular singer Taylor Swift was at the venue to witness the game of her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, a Chiefs player.
The NFL is the most popular professional sports league in the United States and the Super Bowl is one of the most important and most watched events in the North American territory each year. The Chiefs won the decisive game for the second year in a row.
FOUNTAIN: With information from AFP
