1 dead, 21 others injured in shooting after rally celebrating Chiefs' Super Bowl, officials say

CNN
—

One person died and 21 others were injured at a Super Bowl victory rally in the city on Wednesday and three people were in custody, Kansas City officials said, after gunfire rocked a joyous afternoon as a huge crowd watched the NFL's latest title Chiefs celebrated.

“We have confirmed that there is a deceased person,” Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said at a news conference Wednesday, adding that authorities were still working on the total number of victims.

Kansas City Fire Chief Ross Grundyson said there were 21 additional gunshot victims, with eight suffering “immediately life-threatening injuries,” seven suffering life-threatening injuries and six suffering minor injuries.

“We have three people who are being held pending investigation,” Graves told reporters. “We are working to determine if any of the three are the ones seen in (a) video of fans helping police.”

The shooting is just the latest instance of gun violence disrupting American life in places once considered safe. This was at a sports celebration with a huge crowd. Others took place in churches, schools, grocery stores, outlet malls, hospitals, college campuses and house parties. In June 2023, two people were shot as fans left a Denver Nuggets NBA title celebration.

An estimated 1 million people celebrated their team's back-to-back Super Bowl championships in downtown Kansas City, and the area where the Union Station shooting occurred was just steps away from where the team held a victory rally afterward Parade organized for thousands of fans ended.

Children were able to visit with their football heroes as school districts in the Kansas City area canceled classes to allow students to take part in the celebration.

Live updates

“Our thoughts are with the victims and everyone affected,” NFL said after the shooting

Missouri's gun laws make it difficult to secure events like the Super Bowl celebration, according to a CNN analyst

The police chief says firearms have been recovered but a motive has not yet been determined

Some of the shooting victims were children, the fire chief says

Authorities arrested three people as the investigation continues, according to the police chief

Mayor speaks on tragic nature of mass shootings: We have become part of a problematic statistic

At least 22 people have gunshot wounds, police said

Chiefs organization saddened by “senseless act of violence” after rally.

Here's what we know so far about the Kansas City shooting

The Kansas City shooting marks the 48th mass shooting of 2024

“I felt like I was going to die,” one attendee said of the moment shots were fired at the Super Bowl celebration

The police chief thanks officers for running toward the shooting

Kansas City's mayor says he is “as heartbroken as anyone” over the shooting.

Biden was briefed on the shooting at the Kansas City celebrations

Police chief confirms one person was killed in a shooting at the Super Bowl rally

The investigation into the shooting “is just beginning,” police chief says

All Kansas City Chiefs players, coaches and staff are safe, the mayor says

NOW: Officials hold a news conference following the Kansas City shooting

In pictures: Shooting in Kansas City after Chiefs rally

According to police, two armed people were arrested for further investigation

At least one person was killed and 14 were injured in a shooting after the rally celebrating the Chiefs, according to fire officials

Kansas City Chiefs players share messages of support after shooting

Witnesses reported confusion as officers ran toward the shooting near the Chiefs parade

The governors of Kansas and Missouri were present when shootings broke out at the Chiefs' rally

Amtrak says trains will continue to run as scheduled following the shooting near the Kansas City station

Five victims are being treated at Truman Medical Center in Kansas City after the shooting at a rally

According to the fire department, up to 10 victims were injured in a shooting near the Chiefs parade

Chiefs fans were celebrating the team's Super Bowl victory before the shot went off

Police say victims are being treated following the shooting in Kansas City following the Chiefs parade

Shots were fired near the Chiefs parade in Kansas City

When the shooting occurred, the players were still on the stage of the Chiefs' victory rally and mingled with each other after it ended. While some people had begun to flee the area, it was still full of fans – who began to flee in fear after the sound of gunfire.

Graves said more than 800 police officers were on scene for the event when the shooting occurred on the west side of Union Station.

In pictures: Shooting in Kansas City after Chiefs celebration

“All Chiefs players, coaches and staff in attendance are safe and will be held accountable,” Mayor Quinton Lucas said at the news conference.

Madison Anderes, 24, said she thought fireworks were going off, but a man in front of them turned around and yelled, “He has a gun.” He has a gun.”

She said she heard more bangs; these were louder.

“That’s when all the chaos broke out,” said Anderes, who was thrown to the ground as everyone started running. “I felt like I was going to die. I felt like a sitting duck and I was about to get shot.”

The celebration began with Chiefs players crowding into double-decker buses, waving to fans as they rolled through town. Star tight end Travis Kelce was spotted on the same bus as Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, but his girlfriend, megastar musician Taylor Swift, appeared unable to make the trip. Swift has tour dates in Australia this weekend.

It wasn't long before some players left their rides to walk the parade route, cheering fans and some even handing out a few libations to people who had been waiting all morning to cheer on the Chiefs.

At a victory rally following the parade, several players toasted the team's ties to the city – these statements became all the more poignant in retrospect as people fled in fear.

“Everything we’ve done this year is because of you,” said Chris Jones, the team’s standout defensive lineman.

“Chiefs Kingdom, you all are the reason we do what we do,” Mahomes said. After the shooting, he posted on X: “Pray for Kansas City.”

With this championship, their third in five years, the Chiefs have solidified themselves as the NFL's youngest dynasty. Mahomes, who at 28 has already laid claim to the title of greatest quarterback of all time, walked the parade route with his arms outstretched – a pose similar to the one he struck after throwing the winning touchdown in overtime on Sunday.

Mahomes certainly enjoyed last year's parade as well, at one point presenting the Lombardi Trophy to a fan and then apparently forgetting it as he walked away. Chiefs owner Clark Hunt kept the trophy this year, keeping it aboard his double-decker bus and out of reach of his quarterback — and any fans he might have left it with.

Championship parades are often an opportunity for players to let off steam and let off steam while celebrating their victory before the offseason. In a virtual press conference on Tuesday, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told reporters that his players had been “told a few times” not to overdo the celebrations.

“It’s great to have fun but be smart,” he added.

Joe Hennessy, a reporter for local station KCTV, posted a video of X of Chiefs fans arriving at the parade route at 4 a.m. to secure their spots at the front.

“Chiefs fans are built differently!” he wrote.

This is a recent story and will be updated.

CNN's Sarah Dewberry and David Close contributed to this report.