KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department responded to a deadly shooting near the Chiefs Kingdom Champions Victory Parade route minutes after the rally concluded.
Police said shots were fired west of Union Station near the garage.
KCMO fire and police spokespeople confirmed Wednesday evening the total of shooting victims had risen to 23, including one person who died.
Victim
Radio station KKFI 90.1 FM confirmed the victim's identity as DJ Lisa Lopez-Galvan.
The station posted a tribute to Lopez-Galvan on Wednesday night.
"This senseless act has taken a beautiful person from her family and this KC Community," the station posted.
Suspects
Three individuals have been taken into custody for investigation, per KCPD.
KCPD said the incident was not an officer-involved shooting.
"It's going to take us a little bit to determine what led up to the shooting," KCPD Chief Stacey Graves said. "I have heard that fans got involved in the apprehension or pursuit of one of the suspects, but I cannot confirm that myself."
Graves later said police are looking into whether the person who was tackled in a video circulating on social media was one of the people taken into custody for questioning.
Police are asking any witnesses or anyone with video to contact 816-413-3477, a tips line dedicated for information surrounding the rally shooting.
We need to hear from anyone in the vicinity of the parade shooting today that directly witnessed the shooting incident, has any video of the shooting incident or who was a victim of the shooting who has not yet reported being shot to please call this dedicated line 816-413-3477
— kcpolice (@kcpolice) February 15, 2024
Investigation is ongoing into whether this was a singular incident or multiple incidents.
A shooting occurred at 27th and McGee just before 1:30 p.m. Police were unable to share additional information, including the extent of injuries.
Incident response
Dozens of first responders were seen rushing into Union Station as people ran from the area.
"Officers were there to keep everyone safe. I'm angry at what happened today," Graves said. "The people who came to this celebration should expect a safe environment. We had over 800 law enforcement officers at the location to keep everyone safe. Because of bad actors, which were very few, this tragedy occurred."
KCPD asked the public to exit the scene as quickly and safely as possible.
Parking garages along the parade route were closed until about 5 p.m. For anyone who was unable to access their vehicle, IRIS provided free rides.
The officers who entered Union Station worked to provide safety for those inside while treating the victims.
"I just have one thing to say: this is not Kansas City. I'm angered by what happened," Graves said. "But I want you to know that the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department and all the law-enforcement officers that were there today, that were serving and protecting, did the best that they could."
The White House also called and offered to provide federal assistance.
"When the shooting started, I, like many others, ran for safety," KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas said.
RELATED | Witnesses recount Chiefs Kingdom Champions Victory Parade shooting scene
A child reunification station was located at the main entrance to Union Station.
Police also asked witnesses to go to the corner of Pershing and Main to share what they saw with detectives.
Players, officials safe
All Chiefs players, coaches and staff members are safe and accounted for.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly was evacuated and was not in harm's way. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson left the rally before the shooting took place.
Area hospitals
A Children's Mercy Kansas City spokesperson told reporter Caroline Hogan the hospital is treating 12 patients — 11 are kids and nine kids have gunshot wounds.
The hospital later provided an update that all are expected to make a full recovery. The victims range in age from 6-15 years old.
Anyone who believes their child may be at Children's Mercy is asked to call 816-648-2590.
Truman Medical Center is treating eight gunshot victims — two in critical condition and six in stable condition. Four other people are being treated for non-gunshot injuries.
"University Health is a Level 1 Trauma Center. Those victims brought here from the Union Station incident are being treated by the best trauma specialists in the city," the spokesperson shared. "Our entire staff is aware of the incident and all of our hearts go out to the victims and their families. We will give you a condition report as soon as it is available.
Anyone with family at Truman is directed to go to the hospital chapel.
A gunshot victim is being treated at the University of Kansas Hospital. Their condition is unknown at this time.
At Saint Luke's, one shooting victim is in critical condition and four walk-ins are being treated for injuries related to the chaos.
North Kansas City Hospital treated and released three people.
Previous parade incidents
Two people were arrested after leading police on a chase down the parade route before the Super Bowl parade in February 2020.
There were only five other arrests in connection with that year's Super Bowl parade.
KCPD said there were two arrests in connection with the Super Bowl parade last February after the Super Bowl LVII win.
This is a developing story and will be updated as additional information is available.
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If you have any information about a crime, you may contact your local police department directly. But if you want or need to remain anonymous, you should contact the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477), submitting the tip online or through the free mobile app at P3Tips.com. Depending on your tip, Crime Stoppers could offer you a cash reward.
Annual homicide details and data for the Kansas City area are available through the KSHB 41 News Homicide Tracker, which was launched in 2015. Read the KSHB 41 News Mug Shot Policy.
