Kansas City’s Super Bowl parade came to an abrupt end Wednesday after police asked attendants to leave following reports of a shooting at the center of the parade.
Police reported multiple shots fired at Union Station, the backdrop for the Chiefs’ Super Bowl stage at the parade. During the incident, bystanders were asked to leave the area as police began to fill the area.
There were multiple reports suggesting over one million fans were in attendance at the parade, which celebrated the Chiefs’ second straight championship.
Here’s the latest on the incident.
Chiefs parade shooting news, updates
The shooting has left one victim dead and several others wounded, Kansas City police chief Stacey Graves said at a press conference. She said the shooting took place on the west side of Union Station, and that police responded immediately, taking two people into custody and offering life-sustaining aid to victims. She said they are still working on obtaining official numbers of shooting victims.
As of 4:49 p.m. ET, Graves said the number could be upwards of 10 to 15. She did not have any updates on the status of victims and said it was not believed any children were injured. Graves added police are still working to obtain information on the motive of the shooters.
“I just have one thing to say. This is not Kansas City. I am angered by what happened, 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 and I am so proud of them that they ran into danger, getting two people into custody and at the same time rendering life-sustaining aid to those victims,” Graves said. “We were here for a safe celebration. And because of two bad actors or more is why we are standing here today. We will recover as a city. My heart goes out to our victim who is deceased, but your police department stands ready and we are invested in the safety and the betterment of Kansas City.”
Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas said in the press conference there were 600 Kansas City police officers and 200 officers from outside agencies at the parade for security. Lucas added the White House assured support from federal agencies in the situation.
“We went out today like everyone in Kansas City looking to have a celebration. That celebration was marred by a shooting today. And we recognize that there are some who are injured. We are praying for the safety of everyone,” Lucas said. “One, we have spoken with the Kansas City Chiefs who made clear that their prayers are with everyone who was at the parade today, everyone in Kansas City and everyone who was touched by this incident. They also noted that their players, coaches and staff are all accounted for at this point and safe.”
Kansas City police issued a report at 3:02 p.m. ET, just after the Chiefs finished their celebration on the stage, that shots were fired around Union Station. Police said they were working to clear Union Station and will release everyone from the building when it is completed, which wound up happening at 3:09 p.m. ET.
Police later noted there were shots fired west of Union Station near the building’s garage and that there were multiple people struck by gunfire. There were two armed individuals taken into custody.
Shots were fired west of Union Station near the garage and multiple people were struck. We took two armed people into custody for more investigation.
— kcpolice (@kcpolice) February 14, 2024
As reports of shots fired emerged, fans could be seen fleeing the area on the local TV coverage and posts on social media.
Parade goers running from Union Station following reports of shots fired. pic.twitter.com/3K3WlMt9qS
— Rob Collins (@RobCollinsTV) February 14, 2024
Chaos has broken out at the end of the Chiefs Super Bowl parade. Police and military personnel just took off inside of Union Station pic.twitter.com/mqNeodS9r5
— Jacob Meikel (@NPNOWMeikel) February 14, 2024
We have been escorted away from union station after being told to get under the stage we were hosting the parade pic.twitter.com/mlSrahS8Hu
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) February 14, 2024
WTAE’s Andrew Stockey reported Chiefs receiver Justin Watson told his family that the players and all families of players inside Union Station are safe.
Donna Kelce, mother of Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce, reportedly told Kansas City Star reporters the team got everyone out to Arrowhead Stadium quickly.
“They got us out of there real fast,” Donna Kelce reportedly told KC Star reporters.
The Chiefs vice president of content and production Robert Alberino Jr. noted on X that team production and game day crew, cheer and flag teams, and mascots and drums were all accounted for after the shooting.
This post will be updated as further information is released.
