Chiefs safe and accounted for after parade shooting
KANSAS CITY: The Kansas City Chiefs said all their players, coaches and staffers and their families were “safe and accounted for” after a deadly shooting Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) at the end of the Super Bowl championship parade.
We are truly saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred outside of Union Station at the conclusion of today’s parade and rally,” the Chiefs said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and all of Kansas City.”
Police said one person was killed and more than 20 were injured in the shooting that occurred at the end of the parade to celebrate the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory. Eight children were among those shot, authorities said.
Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder said he was with coach Andy Reid and other coaches and staff members at the time of the shooting. Burkholder said the team was on buses returning to Arrowhead Stadium.
“At this time, we have confirmed that all of our players, coaches, staff and their families are safe and accounted for,” the Chiefs said in their statement. “We thank the local law enforcement officers and first responders who were on scene to assist.”
The NFL issued its own statement saying it was “deeply saddened” and adding that its ”thoughts are with the victims and everyone affected.”
Chiefs quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, “Praying for Kansas City.” He included three emojis of hands in prayer.
Defensive end Charles Omenihu called for a change in gun laws.
The parade was a celebration of the Chiefs’ 25-22 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers that gave them their second straight Super Bowl title.
The shooting in Kansas City was just the latest example of violence erupting during a championship celebration.
Here are other shootings that have taken place over the last decade either the night a team won a league championship or during the ensuing parade or rally.
June 2016: Cleveland Cavaliers
Police said a person was shot twice in the leg and received injuries that weren’t life-threatening during a parade and rally for the Cavaliers’ NBA championship.
June 2019: Toronto Raptors
Four people were shot and wounded at a downtown Toronto rally for the NBA champion Raptors. Police said others suffered minor injuries as they tried to get away from the shooting.
October 2020: Los Angeles Dodgers
Two people were shot to death in Sylmar, California, the night the Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series. Family members of Juan Carlos Guillen and Marco Antonio Vazquez said the two men were trying to stop people who were smashing car windows with baseball bats.
July 2021: Milwaukee Bucks
Two shootings left three people wounded in downtown Milwaukee the night the Bucks won their first NBA title in 50 years. Police said the injuries weren’t life-threatening. The shootings were across the Milwaukee River from Fiserv Forum, the Bucks’ home arena.