KC radio DJ killed, children among 21 injured by gunfire after Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade (2024)

Published: Feb. 14, 2024 at 2:08 PM CST

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KWCH/AP) - Late Wednesday night Update: As many questions remain after a celebration that turned into a nightmare for thousands, 12 News gained further perspective after speaking with witnesses about events that unfolded Wednesday toward the end of the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade and rally.

“This is absolutely a tragedy, the likes of which we would have never expected in KC and the likes of which we will remember for a long time,” said Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Quinton Lucas of the mass shooting that killed a Kansas City radio station DJ and wounded at least 21 people, including several children.

You can hear from the witnesses here: https://www.kwch.com/2024/02/15/witnesses-shooting-chiefs-super-bowl-celebration-share-experiences/ and in the video below.

7:30 p.m. Update: : Kansas City radio station KKFI says one of its DJs, Lisa Lopez-Galvin, was killed in Wednesday’s shooting at the Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade. In a statement, the station, KKFI, said in part, “This senseless act has taken a beautiful person from her family and this KC Community.” Authorities say 22 people were hit by gunfire in the shooting, including at least eight children.

Full statement from KKFI 90.1 FM:

“It is with sincere sadness and an extremely heavy and broken heart that we let our community know that KKFI DJ Lisa Lopez, host of Taste of Tejano lost her life today in the shooting at the KC Chiefs’ rally. Our hearts and prayers are with her family. We encourage anyone who feels they saw something to reach out to law enforcement at 816 234 5111.

This senseless act has taken a beautiful person from her family and this KC Community.”

Lopez-Galvan, whose DJ name was “Lisa G,” was an extrovert and devoted mother from a prominent Latino family in the area, said Rosa Izurieta and Martha Ramirez, two childhood friends who worked with her at a staffing company. Izurieta said Lopez-Galvan had attended the parade with her husband and her adult son, a die-hard Kansas City sports fan who also was shot.

“She’s the type of person who would jump in front of a bullet for anybody - that would be Lisa,” Izurieta said.

Authorities said 22 people were hit by gunfire in the shooting, including at least eight children.

7 p.m. Update: Children’s Mercy Hospital confirmed nine patients it’s treating for gunshot wounds range in age from 6 to 15 and that all nine are expected to recover. The hospital said two other children it’s treating from the shooting at the Chiefs Super Bowl parade and rally suffered “incidental injuries.”

5:36 p.m. Update: The Kansas City Police Department now says 22 people were injured in a shooting during a rally for the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday. One of those people has died. The police department said three people have been detained in connection to the incident.

Of the 22 injuries, Interim Fire Chief Ross Grundyson said nine victims had immediate life-threatening injuries, eight had life-threatening injuries and six were minor. Among the victims, at least eight were children, according to Children’s Mercy, one of the three hospitals where patients were transported after the shooting.

Police Chief Stacey Graves said the department is working to identify the person who died. She also said they are working on staffing a centralized phone number for victims, witnesses, and anyone who has video or any information about what led up to the shooting.

4:58 p.m. Update: Update: Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City confirmed that it’s treated 12 patients from the shooting in the Chiefs’ championship parade and rally. The hospital said 11 patients are children and nine have gunshot wounds. The injury total is up to 18.

(KWCH/AP) - One person was killed and up to 15 were injured in a shooting at the end of the parade to celebrate the Super Bowl win by the Kansas City Chiefs, sending terrified fans running for cover and marring yet another high-profile public event with gun violence.

Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves detailed the shooting’s toll at a news conference and said two people had been taken into custody. She said she has heard that fans may have been involved in apprehending a suspect but couldn’t confirm that.

“I’m angry at what happened today. The people who came to this celebration should expect a safe environment.” Graves said.

Social media users posted shocking video. One user’s video showed someone apparently performing chest compressions on a shooting victim as another person, seemingly writhing in pain, lay on the ground nearby. People screamed in the background.

Another video showed two onlookers chase down and tackle someone, holding that person down until two police officers arrived.

Lisa Money of Kansas City, Kansas, was trying to gather some confetti near the end of the parade when she heard somebody yell, “Down, down, everybody down!”

At first Money thought somebody might be joking until she saw the SWAT team jumping over the fence.

“I can’t believe it really happened. Who in their right mind would do something like this? This is supposed to be a day of celebration for everybody in the city and the surrounding area. and then you’ve got some idiot that wants to come along and do something like this,” she said.

Kevin Sanders, 53, of Lenexa, Kansas, said he heard what sounded like firecrackers and then people running. After that initial flurry, calm returned, and he didn’t think much of it. But he said 10 minutes later, ambulances started showing up.

“It sucks that someone had to ruin the celebration, but we are in a big city,” Sanders said.

Lisa Augustine, spokesperson for Children’s Mercy Kansas City, said the hospital “is receiving patients from the rally.” She didn’t know how many or immediately offer any details about their injuries.

St. Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City received one gunshot patient in critical condition and one walk-in patient with injuries that were not life threatening, spokesperson Laurel Gifford said.

The University of Kansas Health System was treating one person wounded in the shooting, said Jill Jensen Chadwick, news director for the health system. She didn’t know the person’s condition.

“When you have this many casualties, it’s going to get spread out among a lot of hospitals so that you don’t overwhelm any single ER,” she said.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and the first lady were at the parade when shots were fired but are safe, Parson posted on X.

“State law enforcement personnel are assisting local authorities in response efforts,” Parson posted. “As we wait to learn more, our hearts go out to the victims.”

Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder said he was with coach Andy Reid and other coaches and staff members, and the team was on buses and returning to Arrowhead Stadium.

“This is absolutely a tragedy, the likes of which we never would have expected in Kansas City, the likes of which we’ll remember for some time,” Mayor Quinton Lucas said.

After the Denver Nuggets’ championship parade last year, a shooting took place in downtown Denver that injured two people, though police said they didn’t believe the incident was associated with the actual celebration. Also last year, an argument resulted in shots being fired at a parking lot near the Texas Rangers’ World Series championship parade. Nobody was injured.

Areas that had been filled with crowds were empty after the shooting, with police and firefighters standing and talking behind an area restricted by yellow tape.

Throngs had lined the route, with fans climbing trees and street poles, or standing on rooftops for a better view. Players rolled through the crowd on double-decker buses, DJs and drummers heralding their arrival. Owner Clark Hunt was on one of those buses, holding the Lombardi Trophy.

The city and the team each chipped in around $1 million for the event commemorating Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs becoming the first team since Tom Brady and the New England Patriots two decades ago to defend their title.

After decades without a championship, the city is gaining experience with victory parades. Five seasons ago, the Chiefs defeated the 49ers for the team’s first Super Bowl championship in 50 years. That followed the Kansas City Royals winning the World Series in 2015, the city’s first baseball championship in 30 years. That year, fans abandoned their cars on the side of the highway so they could walk to the celebration.

Then, last year, the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 and prophetically vowed they would be back for more.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

3:55 p.m. Update: At least one person was killed Wednesday in a shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade, police say.

Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said at a news conference that one person is dead and up to 15 were injured. It’s not clear how many were injured by gunshots. She said she did not believe that any of the shooting victims were children. Childrens Mercy Hospital confirmed that it was caring for patients connected with the shooting but didn’t disclose the nature of the injuries. The hospital advises anyone who believes their children might be in its care or injured to call 816- 648-2590.

“I’m angry at what happened today,” the chief said.

Graves said two people had been taken into custody.

Kansas police said they will share updated information at our next news conference, which will be at 5 p.m. at Police Headquarters.

3:30 p.m. Update: The Kansas City Police Department and Mayor Quinten Lucas are expected to give an update on a shooting that has left multiple people injured following a celebration and parade for the Kansas City Chiefs, 2024 Super Bowl Champions.

Police said multiple were injured in the shooting, including some children. Currently, the severity of those injuries has been unconfirmed.

3 p.m. Update: Kansas City police say the only child reunification location is now inside Union Station.

2:40 p.m. Update: Minutes after Kansas City Chiefs players vowed to go for a third-straight Super Bowl title, shots were fired and multiple people near the parade route were carried away on stretchers. Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins said eight to 10 people were injured Wednesday but declined further comment, saying only that additional information will be released soon. Police said in a news release that two people were detained. Fans were urged to exit the area as quickly as possible. Officers could be seen rushing toward Union Station but later announced that they were releasing everyone from outside.

2:35 p.m. Update: As chaos erupted in Kansas City, Mo., several families were separated Wednesday afternoon at Union Station. Child reunification stations are set up at 2301 Main and inside the main entrance of Union Station.

“We still have several needing reunification,” said police. “Contact the officer nearest you for reunification information.”

Police also asked people who witnessed the shooting to meet at southwest corner of Pershing and Main.

Police in Kansas City, Mo., say multiple people have been shot in a mass shooting at Union Station. The shooting occurred west of Union Station near the garage as a victory parade and celebration wrapped up for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Police said two armed people have been detained for more investigation.

“We need people to exit the area as quickly and safety as possible and avoid the parking garage in order to facilitate treatment of shooting victims,” said police in a statement.

12 News reporter Max Dutton was in Kansas City at Union Station covering when he said he heard the sound of gunshots. He then saw a victim and emergency crews tending to that person. He also witnessed a second victim being carted away by emergency crews.

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