Kansas City shooting: Two teens charged as children released from hospital

Thousands of fans were gathered in Kansas City to celebrate the Chief’s Super Bowl triumph

Witness describes moment he tackled man at Kansas City Chiefs rally

Two juveniles have been charged in connection to Wednesday’s shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade.

“The juveniles are currently detained in secure detention at the Juvenile Detention Center on gun related and resisting arrest charges,” the Jackson County Family Court Division said in a statement. “It is anticipated that additional charges are expected in the future as the investigation by the Kansas City Police Department continues.”

Officials have yet to release the suspects’ names.

Of the 22 people who suffered gunshot injuries during the shooting, 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.

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

A GoFundMe started by the family of Ms Lopez-Galvan raised more than $190,000 with Taylor Swift donating most of the proceeds.

On the official GoFundMe page, the top donator remains to be Ms Swift, who attended the Super Bowl to cheer on her boyfriend and Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce. Ms Swift donated $50,000 twice to the family’s fundraiser and sent her “deepest sympathies and condolences.”

On Saturday, Children’s Mercy hospital announced that all 12 shooting patients were released. A patient at another hospital remains in critical condition.

The same day, more than 100 people gathered in Kansas City for gun safety group Moms Demand Action’s rally calling to end gun violence.

Local officials, including Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, were also in attendance, according to KSHB.

“I’m angry, I’m frustrated,” volunteer Tara Bennett told the outlet. “I’m frustrated because I know there are things that can be done, we just have to have the courage to do them.”

Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca also shared his experience at Wednesday’s shooting. He said he was with his daughter.

“She said, ‘Daddy this is a drill right? This is a drill?’” Mr Abarca recalled his daughter asking him. “I said, ‘Yes, it is,’ because in that moment I needed her to act like it was a drill.”

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
• Two juveniles charged over Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade mass shooting

[19 February 2024 09:00 · Kelly Rissman]

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.

Mr Filter said he was “fully adrenalised” and had acted on instinct. “It was crazy. The crowd was yelling ‘gun’ and then my wife grabbed the gun and dragged it over by the wall.”

He and Mr Contreras restrained the man as he fought desperately to break free until police arrived about 30 seconds later.

“We were just super glad that a cop finally showed up, because we thought (the suspect) still had a gun,” Mr Filter said.

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[19 February 2024 11:00 · Kelly Rissman]

Kansas City rally calls to end gun violence

More than 100 people gathered in Kansas City on Saturday for gun safety group Moms Demand Action’s rally calling to end gun violence.

Local officials, including Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, were also in attendance, according to KSHB.

“I’m angry, I’m frustrated,” volunteer Tara Bennett told the outlet. “I’m frustrated because I know there are things that can be done, we just have to have the courage to do them.”

Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca also shared his experience at Wednesday’s shooting. He said he was with his daughter.

“She said, ‘Daddy this is a drill right? This is a drill?’” Mr Abarca recalled his daughter asking him. “I said, ‘Yes, it is,’ because in that moment I needed her to act like it was a drill.”

[19 February 2024 13:00 · Kelly Rissman]

WATCH: Kansas City shooting survivor recounts moments before gunfire

[19 February 2024 15:00 · Kelly Rissman]

Taylor Swift makes generous donation to victim’s family

On 14 February, Kansas City hosted a celebratory parade in honour of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory. According to ABC News, police told their spokesperson that one person was shot and 22 people were injured after a fight broke out outside Union Station as the rally was wrapping up.

Following the shooting, Swift has reached out and donated $100,000 to the family of Lisa Lopez-Galvan, the 44-year-old woman who was shot and killed at the parade.

The Grammy winner wrote a poignant message on the GoFundMe page created with the goal of raising an additional $75,000 for the “Elizabeth Lopez-Galvan Memorial”.

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