Gunshots rang out in Kansas City, Missouri, during the parade celebrating the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory, as reported by local police who urged people via X to clear the area around Union Station.
Michael Hopkins, the fire department chief, conveyed that initial reports indicated one fatality and 21 injured. Two armed individuals have been taken into custody by the police.
The shooting occurred downtown at the conclusion of the parade marking the Chiefs’ third consecutive title win against the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas. Thousands of fans dressed in red team shirts filled the streets, accompanied by music, drums, and confetti. Shortly after the parade ended, panic erupted as several shots were heard, prompting a frenzied stampede among the crowd. Despite metal barriers intended to protect the procession, people fled, screaming and seeking refuge in side streets or dropping to the ground.
While there is no indication of a terrorist attack, earlier the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Mike Turner, had disclosed a “serious threat to national security,” urging President Joe Biden to declassify all information for open discussion among Congress, the administration, and allies on necessary response actions.
The parade featured all the team’s stars, including Travis Kelce, although Swift was notably absent. Fans had hoped for a surprise appearance, akin to her Super Bowl performance, but the singer, fresh from concerts in Japan, is already en route to Melbourne for the next leg of her Eras Tour.
