A shooting at a Kansas City Chiefs parade left at least one dead and several injured

(CNN) –– At least one person was killed and 14 others injured in a shooting in Kansas City at the end of a Chiefs parade celebrating their Super Bowl victory, said Michael Hopkins, a spokesman for the city’s fire department.

Hopkins added that three patients were in critical condition, five in critical condition and one with life-threatening injuries. He also mentioned that five additional injured people sought medical attention for injuries sustained in the incident, but it was not certain if they were victims of gunfire.

Additionally, police said at least two armed men are in custody.

“Anyone nearby should leave the area as quickly and safely as possible to facilitate the treatment of shooting victims. “Avoid the Union Station parking area to allow first responders to pass,” police warned.

Most of the injured were taken to University Health Truman Medical Center, according to hospital spokesman Keith King. The official told CNN they were treating 12 people: “4 with gunshot wounds and 8 others who were not shot in the incident.”

An estimated one million people were in downtown Kansas City on Wednesday as they celebrated their team’s second straight championship. The area where the shooting happened was just a few blocks away from where the Chiefs held a victory rally for thousands of fans after the parade.

It was a heartbreaking end to what had been a raucous day of celebration for Chiefs fans, including many children, as school districts in the Kansas City metropolitan area canceled classes for students to attend.

The shooting is the latest example of gun violence affecting American lives in places once considered safe. This was in celebration of sports with a large crowd. Others have gone to churches, schools, grocery stores, shopping malls, hospitals, college campuses, and house parties. In June 2023, two people were shot as fans left the Denver Nuggets NBA title celebration.

The players were still on stage at the victory rally when the shooting happened, mingling with each other after it ended. Although some people had started to leave the area, it was still full of followers, who started running away in fear after the sound of gunshots.

Police say two gunmen were detained after the shooting. No additional details were immediately released Wednesday afternoon.

Parade participant: “I thought I was going to die”

Madison Anders, 24, who attended the Super Bowl rally in Kansas City with her brother and mother, had to run for her life after being shot out.

“At first we thought it was a series of fireworks,” Anders told CNN by phone. Moments later, a man standing in front of them turned and yelled, “He’s got a gun! He’s got a gun!” Anders said. Then another round of pops sounded, this time noticeably louder.

“That’s when all hell broke loose,” continued the woman, who fell to the ground as everyone began to run. “I thought I was going to die, I felt like an easy target and they were going to shoot me.”

After Andres got up, he ran to his brother and mother and joined about 10 others in front of a store, he said. She said that’s when she saw the police entering the scene.

A celebration that was tainted

The day began with rejoicing as approximately one million people made their way to Kansas City to participate in the celebration.

It started with the main players riding in double-decker buses, waving to fans as they visited the city. Star Travis Kelce was spotted on the same bus as Mahomes, but it didn’t look like his girlfriend, popular singer Taylor Swift, would be able to make the trip. Swift has tour dates in Australia this weekend.

It wasn’t long before some players got out of their vehicles to walk the parade route and high-five fans who had been waiting all morning to cheer on the Chiefs.

At a pep rally after the parade, several players toasted the team’s connection to the city. These statements were even more poignant later, when people fled in terror.

“Everything we did this year was because of you,” said Chris Jones, the team’s standout player.

“Chief Kingdom, you’re the reason we do what we do,” Mahomes said.

The Chiefs have established themselves as the NFL’s latest dynasty with this recent Super Bowl victory. Mahomes, who at age 28 has already claimed the title of greatest quarterback of all time, ran along the parade route with his arms outstretched, the same pose he struck after throwing. touchdown Sunday’s overtime winner.

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