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At least one person has been killed and multiple others have been injured after a shooting in Missouri, which took place during a Super Bowl victory parade for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Officials said that 22 people had suffered from gunshot injuries – including several children – during the incident, that occurred around 2pm on Wednesday.
Local station KMBC9 later said, per the fire department, that 10 people had been shot. One person had been killed, and three victims were in critical condition, the outlet reported.
Four others were reportedly in serious condition, while one person had non-life threatening injuries.
Three people were taken into custody, police said, with authorities describing the incident as a “fluid situation.”
At a press conference on Wednesday afternoon Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said that there could be up to 15 victims but that authorities did not have an exact number.
“I’m angry at what happened today,” she told reporters.
“People who came to this celebration should expect a safe environment. We had over 800 law enforcement officers from Kansas City and other agencies at the location to keep everyone safe because of bad actors, which were very few.
“This tragedy occurred even in the presence of uniformed law enforcement officers who again ran towards them and took them into custody. To the people who were injured in this tragedy. Our hearts go out to you and your families.”
Chief Graves added that she had heard rumours that one of the shooters had been tackled by fans in the aftermath, but could not confirm this.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas added: “We went out today like everyone in Kansas City, looking to have a celebration.
“That celebration was marred by a shooting today and we recognize that there are some who are injured. We are praying for the safety of everyone. We have spoken to the Kansas City Chiefs, who made clear that their prayers are with everyone who was at the parade today, everyone in Kansas City and everyone who was touched by this incident.
All the Chiefs players, coaches and staff had all been accounted for, Mr Lucas added. The White House has also offered federal assistance in the investigation.
Mr Lucas continued: “This is absolutely a tragedy the likes of which we would have never expected in Kansas City and the likes of which we will remember for some time.
“However, I want to say thank you to those who are making sure that we are safe today. Those were investigating this incident and those who will continue to make sure that those who committed these acts today are brought to justice.”
The University Health Truman Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri, later confirmed it had received five people from Union Station, according to the medical center’s managing communications director Keith King.
According to King, the medical center is treating two gunshot victims. “A third gunshot victim is coming to University Health. We are treating two other people for non-gunshot related injuries,” he told CNN.
Dozens of security officials were seen rushing into Union Station in Kansas City as panicked fans scattered in the emmediate aftermath of the shooting. Officers with sniper rifles were also seen posted on the surrounding rooftops.
Police said that several children were separated from their parents in the scramble.
Child reunification stations were located at 2301 Main and inside the main entrance of Union Station. “We still have several needing reunification. Contact the officer nearest you for reunification information,” police said on X.
Pictures later showed wounded fans being helped away from the scene, some being carried out on stretchers.
Fans were urged to exit the area as quickly as possible. Around 100 police vehicles were reported to be in the area in the moments following the shooting, per CBS.
Downtown Kansas City had been a sea of red for Valentine’s Day as Chiefs fans celebrated their third Super Bowl title in five seasons with a parade. On Sunday the team came-from-behind to win 25-22 in overtime against the San Francisco 49ers.
The players – including stars Patrick Mahomes and travis Kelce – were all stood on top of double-decker buses as confetti canons exploded in the streets on Wednesday.
It is not known whether US megastar Taylor Swift would join her boyfriend, Kelce, for the parade and victory speeches. The Cruel Summer singer has not commented, though she has a show in Melbourne, Australia, on Friday night, the first of three scheduled concerts on her Eras Tour.
She was nowhere to be seen early in the parade. Instead, Kelce was joined by his mother, Donna Kelce.
Chiefs quarterback Mahomes posted on X as the chaos continued to unfold, writing: “Praying for Kansas City…”
A statement put out by the team read: “We are truly saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred outside of Union Station at the conclusion of today’s parade and rally.
“Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and all of Kansas City.
“We are in close communication with the Mayor’s office as well as the Kansas City Police Department. At this time, we have confirmed that all of our players, coaches, staff and their families are safe and accounted for. We thank the local law enforcement officers and first responders who were on-scene to assist.”
Lisa Money of Kansas City, Kansas, was trying to gather some confetti near the end of the parade when she heard somebody yell, “Down, down, everybody down!” Ms Money thought somebody might be joking until she saw the SWAT team jumping over the fence.
“I can’t believe it really happened. Who in their right mind would do something like this? This is supposed to be a day of celebration for everybody in the city and the surrounding area. and then you’ve got some idiot that wants to come along and do something like this,” she told The Associated Press.
Kevin Sanders, 53, of Lenexa, Kansas, said he heard what sounded like firecrackers and then people running. After that initial flurry, calm returned, and he didn’t think much of it. But he said 10 minutes later, ambulances started showing up.
“It sucks that someone had to ruin the celebration, but we are in a big city,” Mr Sanders said.
Kansas state Senator Jerry Moran wrote: “Praying for all those involved. Thank you to our brave law enforcement and first responders for acting quickly. Please be safe as you leave the area.”
Wednesday 14 February also marks the anniversary of the 2018 mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, in which 17 people were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
The Kansas City incident is at least the 48th mass shooting in the United States so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
Additional reporting by The Associated Press
