1 Killed, Multiple Kids Injured In Mass Shooting At US Super Bowl Parade

A person was killed and 21 others including nine kids were injured in shooting outside Union Station in Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl victory parade on Wednesday.

Thousands of fans were gathered in front of Union Station to celebrate Kansas City Super Chiefs' second victory in Super Bowl.

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One person died and 21 others including nine children were injured in a shooting at the end of Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl parade after a second straight victory, in Missouri on Wednesday. Following the incident, the police arrested three suspects in connection with the shooting case, which caused the crowd, including the city's mayor Quinton Lucas and his kin to run for their lives. Officials treated eight victims who were in immediately life-threatening condition along with seven others who suffered injuries that could turn out to be fatal, BBC News reported.

"I'm incredibly upset and disappointed. I was there with my wife, I was there with my mother. I never would've thought that we, along with Chiefs players, along with fans, hundreds of thousands of people, would be forced to run for our safety today," the mayor said.

The shooting happened west of Union Station, located in downtown Kansas City, where thousands of Super Bowl fans had gathered for the victory parade on Wednesday. The parade ended outside the station at 14:00 local time (20:00 GMT) and as per reports the Kansas City Chiefs players were still on stage when shooting began, BBC News reported.

Officials stated that over 800 police officers were present at the scene to oversee the parade, with some stationed atop buildings to guarantee the safety of the spectators. Additionally, the city's fire department was on standby to offer medical assistance if required.

Police Chief Stacey Graves of Kansas City stated that officers swiftly reacted once the gunshots broke out, and the detectives who were already present at the scene promptly initiated an investigation, BBC News reported.

The injured victims were transported to three local hospitals and the immediately life-threatening cases were taken to the hospital on priority within 10 minutes of the shooting. The nine children who have sustained gunshot wounds are being treated at Children's Mercy Hospital where patients under the age of 17 are cared for.

In addition to the injured in the shooting, the people who suffered other injuries in the stampede that followed the shooting are also being treated at the local hospitals. City officials have refrained from releasing the names or ages of the victims. They have also withheld information regarding the arrested suspects, including details about the possible motives behind the shooting, BBC News reported.

However, according to a law enforcement source CBS News, the shooting appeared to be the result of a heated argument that turned into violence. It maintained that the shooting was not related to terrorism.  

Police stated that they are continuing to investigate the motive and are in the process of collecting both digital and physical evidence. They urged any eyewitnesses or individuals with pertinent information to come forward and contact law enforcement.

The Kansas City Chiefs released a statement confirming the safety and whereabouts of all players, coaches, staff, and their respective families. The team expressed that it is "truly saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred."