Kansas City shooting latest: Police reveal dispute led up to shooting as two juvenile subjects questioned

Of the 22 people who suffered gunshot injuries during a shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade on Wednesday, more than half of the victims are under the age of 16, police said.

The victims ranged in age from eight to 47 years old.

As thousands of Chiefs fans were gathered at Union Station to celebrate the team’s recent Super Bowl win, an undetermined number of shooters opened fire on the crowd, killing one person and injuring dozens of others.

The deceased has been identified as local DJ and mother-of-two, Elizabeth Lopez-Galvan.

So far, police have detained three individuals, two of whom are juveniles, but have not released any further details about the subjects or weapons used. On Thursday police confirmed that one of the three had been released.

Kansas City Police Chief, Stacey Graves, said that the shooting appeared to have stemmed from a dispute between people and was not terrorism-related.

President Joe Biden condemned the shooting, calling on stricter gun control measures that Republicans have rejected.

Key Points

• Shooting appeared to be from ‘dispute’ between people

• One person killed in shooting, identified as DJ by radio station

• Half of victims are under 16 years old

• One of three suspects detained after Kansas City shooting released

Shooting was not related to terrorism

11:00 , Ariana Baio

The tragic shooting in Kansas City, Missouri on Wednesday was not related to terrorism or home-grown violent extremism, the Kansas City Police Department said on Thursday.

Chief Stacey Graves said that preliminary investigation found “no nexus” related to the two but rather the shooting was tied to a dispute.

“This appeared to be a dispute between several people that ended in gunfire,” Ms Graves said on Thursday.

Two in custody

10:28 , Chris Stevenson

Kansas City police are working with juvenile prosecutors to review evidence and "determine applicable charges" against the two minors, both teenagers, still held in custody, Chief Stacey Graves has said.

The police chief told reporters several firearms had been recovered from the shooting scene.

Security guard describes ‘chaos’ during shooting at Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade

10:00 , Chris Stevenson

A security guard who was working at Union Station has described the “chaos” that ensued when gunfire set off panic in the crowd at the Kansas City Chiefs‘ Super Bowl parade.

Stephanie Sommerkamp, 59, was acting as a non-armed observer for the celebration when the shooting began outside Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, in the early afternoon of 14 February.

“All of a sudden, people were screaming ‘they’re shooting, they’re shooting!’ and running into Union Station. That was chaos,” Ms Sommerkamp, who is a registered nurse, told The Independent. “There was a lot of people out there, and they just started flooding in... so I dove behind the stone wall where I was stationed. We had no idea what was going on, if shooters were coming in.”

“A woman that had run inside — got basically thrown to the ground – had a laceration above her left eye,” Ms Sommerkamp continued. “I treated her, took care of the bleeding, and eventually, when they were ushering people out of the building, helped her to the door.”

After sheltering in place for a time, event staff gathered in the entrance to an outdoor plaza northwest of the station building, where a replica dinosaur skeleton stands in the middle of the traffic circle. But while waiting for instructions, they heard gunshots and had to hit the ground, Ms Sommerkamp said.

She and the other staff members ended up sheltering in the station until nearly 5pm – along with an older woman who had arrived on a train from one of Kansas City’s suburbs and could not leave.

‘I went for him’: Hero Kansas City Chiefs fan says he tackled suspected gunman on instinct

09:34 , Chris Stevenson

Trey Filter was standing among a sea of around one million people who lined the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade route on Wednesday when he heard the shots ring out.

The lifelong Chiefs fan initially thought it was firecrackers going off, before a sense of panic swept through the crowd.

“There was a huge commotion. It felt like there was a rat loose or something,” he told The Independent in a phone interview on Thursday morning.

Mr Filter, who was attending Wednesday’s victory parade with his wife Casey and their sons Gage, 15, and Levi, 12, said dozens of crowdgoers began rushing past them.

He heard the crowd yelling “get him, get him”, and turned around to see a “flash” as a person ran past.

Bevan Hurley reports:

Hero Kansas City Chiefs fan said he acted on instinct as he tackled suspected gunman

Watch: Witness describes moment he tackled man with gun at Kansas City Chiefs rally

09:00 , Ariana Baio

Hero Kansas City Chiefs fan says he tackled suspected gunman on instinct

07:00 , Bevan Hurley

Trey Filter was standing among a sea of around one million people who lined the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade route on Wednesday when he heard the shots ring out.

The lifelong Chiefs fan initially thought it was firecrackers going off, before a sense of panic swept through the crowd.

“There was a huge commotion. It felt like there was a rat loose or something,” he told The Independent in a phone interview on Thursday morning.

Mr Filter, who was attending Wednesday’s victory parade with his wife Casey and their sons Gage, 15, and Levi, 12, said dozens of crowdgoers began rushing past them.

He heard the crowd yelling “get him, get him”, and turned around to see a “flash” as a person ran past.

“My brain was just doing the math and I went for him.”

Dramatic footage posted to social media captured the moment Mr Filter and a second man Paul Contreras tackled the suspect.

The suspect’s handgun fell out as he went to the ground, and Mr Filter said his quick-thinking wife Casey picked it up and took it out of reach.

Kansas City shooting survivor reveals moment woman apparently begged shooter ‘don’t do it’

05:00 , Ariana Baio

A survivor of the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade shooting recounted the moments before gunfire in an interview with CBS Mornings.

Jacob Gooch said he heard a woman say, presumably to the shooter, “don’t do it.”

“I personally did not see the shooter,” Mr Gooch said. “I heard the altercation of a girl or some girls like ‘don’t do it, not here this is stupid’ or something like that. And then the gunshots, which at the time I thought were fireworks.”

Katie Hawkinson reports:

Kansas City shooting survivor reveals moment woman begged shooter ‘don’t do it’

Trump boasts about protecting Second Amendment – hours after Kansas City parade shooting

03:00 , Joe Sommerlad

Donald Trump boasted that he did “nothing” to alter the Second Amendment during his time as president – just hours after a mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade left one person dead and dozens more injured.

Not long after the shooting, Mr Trump appeared at his latest campaign rally in North Charleston, South Carolina, on Wednesday evening – where he was campaigning ahead of the Palmetto State’s upcoming primary on 24 February.

“Nobody took care of our Second Amendment, during that four-year period nothing happened with our Second Amendment,” Mr Trump told his supporters.

He added: “We will protect innocent life and we will restore free speech.”

Some of the deadliest mass shootings in American history took place during Mr Trump’s tenure in the White House from 2017 to 2021.

Watch: Kansas City Police reveal at least half of the shooting victims are under the age of 16

01:00 , Ariana Baio

One of three suspects detained after Kansas City shooting released

00:21 , Mike Bedigan

One of three people detained by police after the shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory parade has been released, The Independent has confirmed.

A statement from Kansas City Police read: “There are two juvenile teens currently in custody for further investigation.

“A third person who was in custody was determined to not be involved.

“The two juveniles are currently being held in custody while we work with juvenile prosecutors to review investigative findings and determine applicable charges. The juvenile court system determines the custody status of all juvenile arrests.

“To clarify, we never indicated the third person was an adult. They are also a juvenile.”

White House says Super Bowl parade shooting ‘cuts deep’ into soul of America

Thursday 15 February 2024 23:00 , Oliver Browning

The White House has said the shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade “cuts deep” into the soul of America.

“We pray for the families who lost loved ones and wish a speedy recovery to those who suffered injuries,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

More than half of the 22 victims who suffered gunshot injuries are under the age of 16, police said.

The incident, which killed one person, unfolded close to Union Station in Kansas City on Wednesday 14 February.

So far, police have detained three individuals, two of whom are juveniles.

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting stemmed from ‘dispute between people,’ not terrorism

Thursday 15 February 2024 22:00 , Ariana Baio

Wednesday’s shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade stemmed from a dispute between people, Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves told reporters on Thursday morning.

“I want to stress that preliminary investigative findings have shown there was no nexus to terrorism or homegrown violent extremism,” Ms Graves said. “This appeared to be a dispute between several people that ended in gunfire.”

The updated victim total is now 23 people, including one fatality: 43-year-old Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a mother of two and a local radio DJ.

Katie Hawkinson reports:

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting began as ‘dispute between people,’ not terrorism

Radio DJ mother-of-two identified as victim of Super Bowl parade shooting

Thursday 15 February 2024 21:00 , Ariana Baio

Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said at a press conference on Thursday that half of the victims shot in the attack are children while one victim – a 43-year-old mother-of-two – died.

Elizabeth “Lisa” Lopez-Galvan adult son and cousins, believed to be minors, also may have been wounded in the shooting, The Kansas City Star reported.

Beto Lopez, the victim’s brother, told ABC News that his sister “loved her family” and had a “life-of-the-party” personality.

“She was dearly loved in this community and gave a lot back,” Mr Lopez said.

Lopez-Galvan worked as a local DJ, with her radio station KKFI also confirming her death in a statement on Wednesday evening.

“It is with sincere sadness and an extremely heavy and broken heart that we let our community know that KKFI DJ Lisa Lopez-Galvan, host of Taste of Tejano lost her life today in the shooting at the KC Chiefs’ rally,” the station said.

Katie Hawkinson reports:

Who are the victims of the Kansas City shooting?

Kansas City shooting survivor reveals moment woman apparently begged shooter ‘don’t do it’

Thursday 15 February 2024 20:30 , Katie Hawkinson

A survivor of the Kansas City ChiefsSuper Bowl parade shooting recounted the moments before gunfire in an interview with CBS Mornings.

Jacob Gooch said he heard a woman say, presumably to the shooter, “don’t do it.”

“I personally did not see the shooter,” Mr Gooch said. “I heard the altercation of a girl or some girls like ‘don’t do it, not here this is stupid’ or something like that. And then the gunshots, which at the time I thought were fireworks.”

Mr Gooch was shot in the ankle, his wife was shot in the calf, and his son was shot in the foot, he said.

The survivor also told CBS Mornings that he saw a group of suspicious people before gunshots rang out, though he was not sure if they were actually connected to the attack.

“I mean, I got suspicious of a certain group of people that were there,” Mr Gooch said. “We were standing on the left side of the stage when the shooting ended up happening. And right before it ended up happening, there was this group dressed in all black. About four, five, six kids with black on, black masks.”

“They disappeared into the crowd and then the show ended and as soon as we started walking around, it happened,” he continued.

‘I went for him’: Hero Kansas City Chiefs fan says he tackled suspected gunman on instinct

Thursday 15 February 2024 20:00 , Ariana Baio

Trey Filter was standing among a sea of around one million people who lined the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade route on Wednesday when he heard the shots ring out.

The lifelong Chiefs fan initially thought it was firecrackers going off, before a sense of panic swept through the crowd.

“There was a huge commotion. It felt like there was a rat loose or something,” he told The Independent in a phone interview on Thursday morning.

Mr Filter, who was attending Wednesday’s victory parade with his wife Casey and their sons Gage, 15, and Levi, 12, said dozens of crowdgoers began rushing past them.

He heard the crowd yelling “get him, get him”, and turned around to see a “flash” as a person ran past.

Bevan Hurley reports:

Hero Kansas City Chiefs fan said he acted on instinct as he tackled suspected gunman

‘When I heard the gunshots, I hid’: 10-year-old who was shot describes Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting

Thursday 15 February 2024 19:30 , Ariana Baio

Ten-year-old Samuel Arellano kept telling his family he’d been hit after shots rang out Wednesday near Kansas City’s Union Station. He’d come to the parade with his grandfather, aunt and uncle, all of them massive Kansas City Chiefs fans, and they’d been reveling in the day and their Chiefs jerseys.

Samuel was particularly thrilled to see the players in person, addressing the crowd from microphones at the Union Station rally; Patrick Mahomes is his favourite.

Soon, though, the elation of the day was marred by gunshots – and Samuel felt a biting pain under his arm as training from the active shooter drills at school kicked in.

“When I heard the gunshots, I hid,” he told The Independent Thursday morning. “I fell to the ground and then hid behind a trashcan.”

Sheila Flynn reports:

10-year-old who was shot describes Kansas City Chiefs parade tragedy

Trump boasts about protecting Second Amendment – hours after Kansas City parade shooting

Thursday 15 February 2024 19:00 , Ariana Baio

Donald Trump boasted that he did “nothing” to alter the Second Amendment during his time as president – just hours after a mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade left one person dead and dozens more injured.

Joe Sommerlad reports:

Trump boasts about protecting Second Amendment – hours after Kansas City shooting

Kansas City PD chief praises effort of law enforcement and civilians

Thursday 15 February 2024 18:30 , Ariana Baio

Kansas City Police Department Chief Stacey Graves praised the effort by law enforcement officials and civilians at the onset of the shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl shooting on Wednesday.

“The law enforcement response was exemplary,” Ms Graves said on Thursday during a press conference.

“Those in attendance also responded,” Ms Graves said. “They helped one another and even physically stopped a person who was believed to be involved in the incident.”

Attendees rushed to tackle an individual they believed to be involved in the shooting as soon as it began occurring. It is unclear if that person was detained by police or if they were involved in the incident.

Security guard describes ‘chaos’ during shooting at Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade

Thursday 15 February 2024 18:00 , Ariana Baio

A security guard who was working at Union Station has described the “chaos” that ensued when gunfire set off panic in the crowd at the Kansas City Chiefs‘ Super Bowl parade.

Stephanie Sommerkamp, 59, was acting as a non-armed observer for the celebration when the shooting began outside Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, in the early afternoon of 14 February.

“All of a sudden, people were screaming ‘they’re shooting, they’re shooting!’ and running into Union Station. That was chaos,” Ms Sommerkamp, who is a registered nurse, told The Independent. “There was a lot of people out there, and they just started flooding in... so I dove behind the stone wall where I was stationed. We had no idea what was going on, if shooters were coming in.”

Io Dodds reports:

Guard describes ‘chaos’ during shooting at Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade

Biden urges Congress to enact gun control measures

Thursday 15 February 2024 17:30 , Ariana Baio

President Joe Biden said that the shooting in Kansas City should motivate Congress to “finally act” to enact stricter gun control measures to prevent shootings from occurring in the future.

On X, the president wrote: “Yesterday’s events in Kansas City should move us into action. How many more families need to be torn apart? It’s time for Congress to finally act to ban assault weapons, limit high-capacity magazines, strengthen background checks, and keep guns out of the hands of those who have no business owning them.”

Kansas City Police Department said that the shooting may have arisen out of a dispute between people but did not clarify what weapons were used or how the shooters were able to access the firearms. An investigation is still underway

Shooting appeared to be from ‘dispute’ between people

Thursday 15 February 2024 16:50 , Ariana Baio

Kansas City Police Department Chief, Stacey Graves, said that the shooting on Wednesday appeared to have arisen from a dispute between several people.

“This appeared to be a dispute between several people that ended in gunfire,” Ms Graves said on Thursday.

Three individuals are currently detained by the police department, two of which are juveniles. Law enforcement individuals have 24 hours until they must deliver charges or release the individuals.

Ms Graves said they had “all intentions of presenting charges.”

Half of victims are under 16 years old

Thursday 15 February 2024 16:41 , Ariana Baio

In a press conference on Thursday morning, Kansas City Police Department Chief, Stacey Graves, said that more than half of the 22 gunshot wound victims are under the age of 16 years old.

The victims range in age from eight years old to 47 years old.

Five gunshot victims discharged

Thursday 15 February 2024 16:40 , Ariana Baio

Five people who were being treated at the University Health hospital for gunshot injuries were discharged, according to NBC News.

Eight people who suffered wounds during the shooting in Kansas City yesterday were brought to the hospital for treatment. Two of those remain in critical condition and one is in stable condition, the medical centre told NBC News.

Police will hold press conference at 11:30 EST

Thursday 15 February 2024 16:06 , Ariana Baio

The Kansas City Police Department said they would hold a press conference to update the public on the shooting investigation at 10:30 CT / 11:30 ET.

The press conference will take place outside of the Kansas City Police Department headquarters and will be live-streamed on their X page.

Kansas City Chiefs fan describes horrific moment he heard gunshots

Thursday 15 February 2024 15:45 , Ariana Baio

Gabe Wallace, a sophomore at Shawnee Mission East, shared the chaotic and horrifying moments he heard gunshots inside Union Station with a reporter.

“I’m pretty sure I heard shots in Union Station,” Mr Wallace said, describing at least two gunshots before running away from the shooting.

Mr Wallace, who was attending the parade with friends, said that officers instructed him to run out of Union Station as soon as gunshots were fired.

The sophomore said he ran and tripped on the sidewalk, scrapping his face while escaping the scene.

“I had no idea if my friends were ok,” Mr Wallace said. “It’s terrible.”

FBI ask public for tips on shooting

Thursday 15 February 2024 15:00 , Ariana Baio

Amid an investigation into the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade shooting, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) have asked those with any information related to the shooting to submit tips.

Those with information can submit tips here.

Kamala Harris condemns ‘senseless gun violence'

Thursday 15 February 2024 14:30 , Ariana Baio

Vice President Kamala Harris spoke briefly about the mass shooting in Kansas City, Missouri on Wednesday night, calling it another act of “senseless gun violence.”

“Today was supposed to be a day of celebration and joy in Kansas City. Instead, it is another day where America has experienced senseless gun violence. It doesn’t have to be this way,” Ms Harris said.

ICYMI: Shooting at Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade leaves one dead and multiple injured

Thursday 15 February 2024 14:00 , Mike Bedigan

Officials said that 22 people had suffered from gunshot injuries – including several children – during the incident, that occurred around 2pm on Wednesday.

Catch up with the full story here:

Shooting at Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade leaves one dead

Watch: Kansas Fire Chief confirms 22 gunshot victims in Super Bowl parade shooting

Thursday 15 February 2024 13:00 , Mike Bedigan

Kansas City shooting: What are the gun laws in the state of Missouri

Thursday 15 February 2024 12:27 , Tom Watling

At least one person was killed and multiple other victims were wounded after a shooting at a Super Bowl victory parade in Kansas City, Missouri.

Three suspects have now reportedly been detained in connection with the shooting on Wednesday.

“I’m angry at what happened today. People who came to this celebration should expect a safe environment,” Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said at a press conference.

According to 2021 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Missouri has the ninth-highest rate of gun deaths in the US.

It’s also one of the states with the highest rates of gun ownership. About 48.8 per cent of adults in Missouri own firearms, according to a 2020 study by the RAND Corporation.

What are the gun laws in the state of Missouri

Kansas City Chiefs offer statement following fatal shooting: ‘senseless act of violence'

Thursday 15 February 2024 12:00 , Mike Bedigan

The Kansas City Chiefs issued a statement acknowledging the shooting that occured on Wednesday during the team’s Super Bowl victory parade.

The team called the incident a “senseless act of violence” and offered its condolences to victims of the mass shooting.

How a lethal mass shooting derailed a day of Super Bowl victory celebrations in Kansas City

Thursday 15 February 2024 11:46 , Tom Watling

A day of jubilant celebration was plunged into chaos after shots were fired at a victory parade for the Kansas City Chiefs in Missouri, following their Super Bowl win on Sunday.

Hundreds of police officers swarmed the scene at Union Station as panicked fans ran, with some later carried out on stretchers.

Police said that 22 people had sustained gunshot injuries, and confirmed that one person had died at the scene.

Here’s what we know so far about the incident.

How a lethal mass shooting derailed a day of Super Bowl celebrations in Kansas City

Watch: Kansas Fire Chief confirms 22 gunshot victims in Super Bowl parade shooting

Thursday 15 February 2024 11:00 , Mike Bedigan

Below are some of the latest photos from Kansas

Thursday 15 February 2024 10:30 , Tom Watling

Here are some of the latest photos from Kansas.

Kansas City Police Chief weighs in on shooting: ‘I’m angry'

Thursday 15 February 2024 10:00 , Mike Bedigan

Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves offered the following comments during a press briefing Wednesday just hours after a shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory parade left one person dead and 14 others injured.

“I’m angry at what happened today.

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.

This investigation is just beginning And we are working safely to clear all surrounding areas and businesses. This is still an active investigation. We will continue to keep you updated.”

Footage shows Chiefs fans tackling a potential suspect

Thursday 15 February 2024 09:36 , Tom Watling

A video on social media has appeared to show the moment a handful of Kansas City Chiefs fans tackled someone to the ground as a crowd ran away in terror.

Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves told a news conference that police were investigating whether the person tackled in the video is a suspect.

In the footage, a single person can be seen running from the right, before two men bring them to the ground, while another signals for help. Two police officers arrive seconds later.

“I do want to comment on the question that I got earlier about a video of some fans tackling someone,” said Police chief Graves.

“We do have three persons detained and under investigation for today’s incident. We are working to determine if one of the three are the one that was in that video were fans assisted police.”

The Independent has chosen not to share this video while investigations are ongoing.

Parents of Parkland shooting victims learn of Kansas City parade attack on live TV

Thursday 15 February 2024 09:00 , Mike Bedigan

Parents of Parkland shooting victims learn of Kansas City parade attack on live TV

‘It seems like nothing is safe’

Thursday 15 February 2024 07:25 , Namita Singh

Yesterday’s shooting outside Union Station happened despite the presence of more than 800 police officers who were in the building and nearby, including on top of nearby structures, said mayor Quinton Lucas, who attended with his wife and mother and ran for safety when the shots rang out.

“Parades, rallies, schools, movies. It seems like almost nothing is safe,” Mr Lucas said.

Police seek clues to Kansas City mass shooting, with 3 people in custody

Thursday 15 February 2024 07:18 , Namita Singh

Three people were in custody in Kansas City, Missouri facing questions about what led to a deadly mass shooting near the city’s Super Bowl victory rally and who was behind it.

Investigators were still unsure whether the Super Bowl victory celebration was targeted for attack, or whether the violence was incidental to the event and spilled over into it, said Police Chief Chief Stacey Graves.

Authorities appealed to anyone who had information about the shooting or video that might help shed light on what transpired to share it with police.

Missouri Senators weigh in on shooting

Thursday 15 February 2024 07:00 , Mike Bedigan

Missouri Senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt offered comments in response to the mass shooting in Kansas City on Wednesday.

KC mayor was present during shooting, calls shooting ‘absolutely a tragedy’

Thursday 15 February 2024 06:00 , Mike Bedigan

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said he was present when gunfire erupted at the Kansas City Chief’s Super Bowl victory parade on Wednesday.

“When the shooting started, I like many others, ran and ran for safety,” he said, noting that he saw police officers running toward the gunfire as he fled.

He then said an investigation was ongoing, and that the shooting was “absolutely a tragedy.”

“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,” he said.

Crowds scatter after shooting at Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade

Thursday 15 February 2024 05:30 , Mike Bedigan

Crowds scatter after shooting at Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade

Kansas shooting ‘cuts deep in the American soul’, says Biden

Thursday 15 February 2024 04:58 , Namita Singh

President Joe Biden said the shooting “cuts deep in the American soul” and called on people to press Congress to ban assault weapons, to limit high-capacity gun magazines and for other gun measures that have been rejected by Republicans.

“Today’s events should move us, shock us, shame us into acting. What are we waiting for?” he said.

NFL condoles victims of ‘senseless shooting’

Thursday 15 February 2024 04:45 , Namita Singh

NFL issued a statement condoling victims of ‘senseless shooting’.

“We are deeply saddened by the senseless shooting that occurred today near the end of the rally in Kansas City for the Chiefs. Our thoughts are with the victims and everyone affected,” they said.

“We are grateful for the quick and thorough response of law enforcement and emergency personnel.”

Earlier, the city had been in party mode as Super Bowl MVP Mahomes and team-mate Travis Kelce took centre stage on a platform near Union Station.

Mahomes had told a cheering crowd the Chiefs were going for a “three-peat” next season while Kelce led the supporters in some chanting

What qualifies as a mass shooting?

Thursday 15 February 2024 04:30 , Mike Bedigan

In Uvalde, Texas, 19 children and two teachers were murdered in a mass shooting.

In Lewiston, Maine, 17 people were killed and 13 others were wounded.

In Parkland, Florida, 17 people were murdered and 17 other were injured in yet another shooting.

Despite mass shootings being ever-present in America’s daily life, there is no singular definition for what constitutes a mass shooting.

The FBI has no set definition for a mass shooting. It does, however, include a definition of “mass murder”: four or more killed during the same incident at roughly the same time. So this definition could be expanded to include gun violence.

READ MORE:

What qualifies as a mass shooting?

‘We did what we could, and we’re alive’

Thursday 15 February 2024 04:18 , Namita Singh

A security guard who was working at Union Station has described the “chaos” that ensued when gunfire set off panic in the crowd.

Stephanie Sommerkamp, 59, was acting as a non-armed observer for the Chiefs event when the shooting began outside the station in the early afternoon.

“All of a sudden, people were screaming ‘they’re shooting, they’re shooting!’ and running into Union Station. That was chaos,” Ms Sommerkamp, who is a registered nurse, told The Independent’s Io Dodds.

“There was a lot of people out there, and they just started flooding in... so I dove behind the stone wall where I was stationed. We had no idea what was going on, if shooters were coming in.

“A woman that had run inside got basically thrown to the ground – had a laceration above her left eye. I treated her, took care of the bleeding, and eventually, when they were ushering people out of the building, helped her to the door.”

After sheltering in place for a time, event staff gathered in the entrance to an outdoor plaza northwest of the station building, where a T-Rex skeleton (or possibly a replica) is on display.

But while waiting for instructions, they heard gunshots and had to hit the ground, Ms Sommerkamp said.

She and the other staff members ended up sheltering in the station until nearly 5pm – along with an older woman who had arrived on a train from one of Kansas City’s suburbs and could not leave.

During that time, Ms Sommerkamp said, she prayed for everyone to get through the incident safely. She and the other staff were mostly calm, with many having come from military or law enforcement backgrounds.

“We did what we could, and we’re alive. I’m grateful,” she told The Independent.