Kansas City Chiefs Parade Shootout: Was Taylor Swift present? Is the team safe? All your questions answered
Mass shooting near Super Bowl victory rally leaves one dead, 21 injured
On the verge of celebration following the NFL championship triumph where the Kansas City Chiefs emerged victorious over the San Francisco 49ers, the festive occasion turned into a tragic event as a mass shooting occurred near the city’s landmark Union Station. At least one person was left dead, and 21 others were wounded by gunfire.
Who are the victims of the shooting?
Local radio station KKFI identified the slain victim as Lisa Lopez, one of its highly admired disc jockeys and host of the famous show “Taste of Tejano.” There were also 15 other victims who suffered life-threatening injuries, as stated by Fire Department Chief Ross Grundyson in a recent press conference. Among those hurt by the gunfire and the ensuing chaos were children as young as 6 years old.
What about the safety of the football team and staff?
As confirmed by the Chiefs, none of the football team, their coaches, or other staff attending the parade were injured.
Was pop icon Taylor Swift present during the shootout?
Taylor Swift, who is known for her generous fan base, the “Swifties,” was confirmed to not be present during the shootout. Swift is currently in Melbourne, Australia, where she is set to perform three shows from Friday onwards at the MCG as part of her Eras World Tour, and then travel to Sydney for another four shows at Accor Stadium.
What could be the motive behind the deadly shooting?
As stated by Police Chief Stacey Graves, three people have been detained and are under investigation in connection with this tragic incident. However, the authorities have yet to uncover the motive behind the shooting. It is still unclear whether the Super Bowl victory celebration was targeted for the attack, or the violence was incidental to the event and spilled over into it.
Reaction from various quarters
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas expressed his lament over authorities’ inability to prevent such violence, considering the presence of over 800 law enforcement officers, including federal agents, on security detail for the event. He articulated his fear about the progression of violence, from parades and rallies to schools and even movies. Despite their strict precautionary efforts, the sound of gunfire forced several attendees, including the Mayor himself, to scramble for cover.
The aftermath
Reactions from various quarters have been pouring in. Travis Kelce took to his social media handles to express his heartache over the tragedy that unfolded during the celebratory event. “My heart is with all who came out to celebrate with us and have been affected. KC, you mean the world to me.” he expressed in his post. The event was attended by several key figures, including the governors of Missouri and Kansas, who, thankfully, remained unhurt during the shootout.
Where exactly did this incident occur?
The eruption of gunshots happened near a garage located west of the Union Station, a 109-year-old Beaux Arts architectural marvel, which was the backdrop of the stage for the victory rally. Nowadays, the building, once a major U.S. rail hub for passenger and freight traffic, serves as a home to a museum and several visiting attractions and also functions as a terminal for Amtrak passenger service.