Suddenly the explosions rang out and people began to run. It was not in order to see his idol more closely, but rather seeking refuge. Although it was a celebration, citizens in the United States are very prepared, through experience, to differentiate between pyrotechnics and the sound of bullets.
This scene, repeated so many times, was experienced this Wednesday in Kansas City, in the urban center. At least one person was killed and 21 people were injured by gunshots during the massive celebration in the Missouri city for the victory of the local American football team, the Chiefs, in the Super Bowl last Sunday. The event occurred just when the parade of the players, who were also in danger, was about to end. There were moments of terror, as recounted by witnesses who witnessed the tragedy up close.
The authorities indicated that there were apparently eleven minors admitted to one of the hospitals. Of the total of 21 injured, a figure that could still vary, seven were in very serious condition, there were even fears for their lives. One in particular was in a very critical situation. There were six who had minor injuries.
At night, the police had three detained as suspected gunmen who were being investigated. Police Chief Stacey Graves explained that one of those arrests was due to citizen collaboration. A group of spectators captured one of the armed men. Graves asked witnesses for help, in case they can provide information and videos to determine if there were more people involved. They had recovered some weapons.
Paul Contreras was interviewed on CNN as the person who took down that third detainee. He explained that as he fell to the ground, he saw how he lost the gun. He kept him there with the collaboration of other participants in the celebration.
"We don't have a motive yet," Chief Graves responded about the origin of the shooting. Preliminarily, investigators decided to consider that it was a dispute between gangs or rivals and not a terrorist action or something premeditated. Police had not yet been able to determine the number of shots fired.
It is estimated that up to a million people (double the population of Kansas Ciy) attended this party that later turned bloody, as so often happens in this country. The crowd dissolved much faster than anticipated. The events occurred near a popular place such as Union Station, which was the point of the grandstand.
Among those attending were many children and adolescents. Public and private schools in the city closed or suspended classes at mid-morning so that schoolchildren could participate in the celebration and celebrate the victory of their sports heroes.
The police, who were already deployed due to the massive attendance of the public, quickly ordered the team's fans to evacuate the area due to the danger of more shooting. This prior deployment allowed the arrests and quick containment of the alleged gunmen.
This prevented the massacre from being greater. There were no less than 800 officers deployed. "Despite this large police presence, those armed guys have still dared to shoot," lamented Chief Graves.
"We had 800 officers stationed around Union Square, we had security in numerous locations, eyes on the rooftops of buildings and beyond, and there are still risks to citizens," said Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas. "We have hundreds of security forces agents, but, in a matter of seconds, someone who wants to interrupt something or someone who is simply reckless can change the lives of dozens of people and this is absolutely devastating," Lucas insisted.
A reunification center was also created, especially so that parents could find their children. Many children were left helpless during the shooting.
Kansas City is one of the cities with the most lax gun regulations in the US and can be openly carried. Another fateful day for the most armed country in the world. Shootings are more than common, but this one occurred on an important date. This February 14 was the sixth anniversary of the massacre at Parkland High School, in Florida. There were 17 deaths, of which 14 were students.
"Like any other citizen, I have also run," confessed the mayor. "For my country, I don't want people to go to events thinking they might be shot, as happened today in Kansas City," he stressed. "As parents, as normal people, we have to decide if we want to do something about parades, parties, schools, movie theaters, because nothing seems safe," he insisted. A lament more than repeated, without anything happening, saved the prayers for the dead and wounded.
