KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade turned tragic when gunfire erupted, leaving one person dead and at least 21 others injured. Bystanders at the event quickly sprung into action, tackling a man believed to be the shooting suspect as he attempted to flee the scene on foot.
Alyssa Marsh-Contreras shared with ABC News that her father, Paul Contreras, was one of the brave individuals who tackled the suspect. Video footage obtained by ABC News captured the chaotic scene as bystanders took quick and decisive action.
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves confirmed that three people are detained and under investigation in connection with the shooting. The police chief described the incident as a “tragedy” during a press conference held after the deadly attack.
Videos posted on social media show the tense moments as two individuals tackled the suspect to the ground, restraining him until police officers arrived to detain him.
The shooting occurred as Chiefs fans were leaving the parade, which took place west of Union Station near the garage. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas revealed that a significant police presence was deployed at the event, with 600 Kansas City, Missouri Police Department officers and 250 officers from outside agencies present.
Despite the tragic turn of events, the mayor reassured the public that the Kansas City Chiefs organization confirmed the safety and well-being of their players, coaches, and staff. The turnout for the parade was estimated to be around 1 million people.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson expressed gratitude for the swift actions taken by law enforcement and first responders in the aftermath of the shooting. He described the incident as a “tragic conclusion to a celebration we had all looked forward to.”
As the community grappled with the aftermath of the shooting, it was clear that the sense of celebration had been marred by the tragic events of the day. The mayor, who was in attendance with his wife and mother, was among those who had to run for safety during the chaotic scene.