Kansas City's deadly Super Bowl shooting stemmed from personal dispute, police say

Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Kansas City police on Thursday said the previous day's Super Bowl parade shooting that killed one and injured scores was not terrorism, rather a dispute between several people.

Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves told reporters Thursday afternoon that three people have been detained in the incident that happened Wednesday near a parade celebrating the Chiefs' recent Super Bowl victory.

She said no charges have yet been filed against three suspects, two of whom are juveniles.

Graves said prosecutors are working with police on specific charges that must be filed within 24 hours of detaining the suspects.

She said several firearms were recovered and appealed to any witnesses to the shootings to come forward.

"I'm angered by what occurred in our city yesterday but I'm also thankful for the response," Graves said. "Law enforcement response was exemplary."

She said police are "working closely with the Jackson County prosecutors office to present the most successful prosecution" possible.

"What's most important is to make sure everything is properly presented for a successful prosecution," she said. "We are not closing the door and giving direct numbers on suspects."

She said the shootings are still under investigation.

Questioned about her comment that the shooting is not reflective of the general population of Kansas City, Graves said, "We do face gun violence in Kansas City. But you have just a handful of people that perpetrated the violence."

Responding to a reporter's question about safety at public gatherings in the city, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said, "We have a plan for a St. Patrick's Day parade. Certainly we recognize the public safety challenges that relate to them. We'll do everything we can as a city and working with federal partners to do everything we can for safety."

Kansas City Fire Chief Ross Grundyson said firefighters were within 40 feet of the shootings and rendered aid right away. He said 23 total victims were treated.

Officials in Kansas City identified the woman killed in the Super Bowl parade shooting as local DJ Lisa Lopez-Galvan, adding that 11 of those injured were children.

Lopez-Galvan, was a mother of two adult children, one of whom was among the 21 people injured in the shooting on Wednesday.

She was well known in Kansas City as a DJ at KKFI and was the sister of Beto Lopez, the mayor pro tem of Lee's Summit, Mo.

"His family members were victims in the parade today. His sister was killed. He has two nieces and a nephew also injured in the horrific shooting. This is truly heartbreaking and an absolute tragedy," Lee's Summit Mayor Bill Baird said in a statement.

KKFI also said its "hearts and prayers" were with Lopez-Galvan's family.

"This senseless act has taken a beautiful person from her family and this KC Community," the station said.

Jackson County legislator Manny Abarca also mourned her death in a post on X and vowed that her death would not go in vain.

"I have known Lisa and her family for over a decade. I have witnessed that smile across DJ equipment and on the stage of our largest Fiesta in Kansas City," he wrote.

"I will legislate, I will fight and I WILL do everything in my power to change this state and city for the better."

According to the Kansas City Fire Department, victims were taken to three area hospitals. Eight had immediate life-threatening injuries, seven had life-threatening wounds and six had non-life-threatening injuries.

Children's Mercy Hospital vice president and chief nursing officer Stephanie Meyer said none of the kids who were hurt had life-threatening injuries. Nine children ages 6 to 15 were shot. Two more had other injuries. She said they were all fearful when they arrived at the hospital.

Meyer said the victims will need more treatment and care beyond the immediate medical attention.

"We are also going to have to make sure that we stay in tune to what is the care that is needed after the violence that has been seen," Meyer said. "Not only for the children we treated, but I would encourage us to think about that for all of the children and families in the community."

Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said three suspects had been taken into custody as of Wednesday evening.

Mayor Quinton Lucas on Thursday said that an investigation into the shooting was ongoing and law enforcement were questioning the suspects.