Kansas City shooting elicits social media reactions, calls to action
During the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl celebration and parade on Valentine’s Day, gunfire erupted — leaving one dead and over 20 injured, including children, according to the Associated Press.
The AP reported the shooting occurred despite the presence of more than 800 police officers in the building and nearby.
Bystanders and news outlets involved spoke out on social media, specifically on X, formerly known as Twitter, posting videos and updates from the shooting.
GRAPHIC VIDEO WARNING ????
Moment when gunfire broke out at the Kansas City Super Bowl Parade where eight children were among the 22 people injured with one dead. pic.twitter.com/8BRKHJKUsN
Call your Reps to demand sensible gun reform here: (202) 225-3121
— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) February 15, 2024
Half of the 22 people injured in the Kansas City parade shooting were under the age of 16, police chief Stacey Graves said. pic.twitter.com/hVHY3nVP7T
— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 15, 2024
Update from #KansasCity presser:
23 victims now⁰Half are under 16 years old⁰2 juvenile offenders⁰Several firearms recovered ⁰No charges filed yet⁰24 hour deadline to file charges⁰Only one shooting location⁰Keeping the door open to finding other offenders pic.twitter.com/lP8AuveCmc
— Alex Caprariello (@alcaprari23) February 15, 2024
Praying for Kansas City… ????????????????????????
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) February 14, 2024
i’m safe we just got back to the car. i feel physically ill and haven’t stopped shaking.
— megan (@swftsgetawaycar) February 14, 2024
The Chiefs said all players, coaches and staffers, as well as their families were “safe and accounted for,” the AP reported.
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said three people had been detained, and firearms were recovered, as reported by the AP. She said police were still piecing together what happened.
Graves said she heard that fans may have been involved in tackling a suspect but couldn’t immediately confirm that, the AP said. Videos surfaced from the shooting showing a man being tackled, and the fan spoke out.
An Omaha hero tackled one of the suspected shooters at today's tragic mass shooting in Kansas City.
"I didn't think about it. It's just a reaction. I didn't hesitate - just do it," said Paul Contreras. #omaha | #chiefsparade pic.twitter.com/DU7RvBEPkD
— Bill Schammert (@BillSchammert) February 15, 2024
This is what a REAL MAN looks like.
The hero who tackled a shooter at the Kansas City Chiefs Parade said, “I didn't hesitate. It was just do it."
HERO…
— Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) February 15, 2024
While the incident itself is sad and alarming. At least we have These we have some heroes among us who took down the mass shooters at the KC Chiefs Super Bowl celebration. Salute to them .????#ChiefsParade #KansasCity
— Qazi Tahir (@QaziTahirH) February 15, 2024
The shooting caused many — including elected officals — to call for gun regulations and reform.
Yesterday’s events in Kansas City should move us into action.
How many more families need to be torn apart?
It’s time for Congress to finally act to ban assault weapons, limit high-capacity magazines, strengthen background checks, and keep guns out of the hands of those who…
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) February 15, 2024
Today was supposed to be a day of celebration and joy in Kansas City. Instead, it is another day where America has experienced senseless gun violence. It doesn’t have to be this way. pic.twitter.com/WoazEoF3Ct
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) February 15, 2024
Kids can’t go to school.
Believers can’t go to church.
Families can’t go to the grocery store.
Friends can’t go to a concert.
And now fans can’t go to a SUPER BOWL PARADE without the real fear of being a part of a mass shooting in America. WHAT ARE WE DOING?— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) February 14, 2024
So two guys with guns shot up the Kansas City Super Bowl celebration, even with *850 police officers* present
And we are supposed to believe putting one (1) officer in every school is going to deter school shootings? Really?
— Arlen Parsa (@arlenparsa) February 14, 2024
Pittsburgh-based organizations like the Steelers spoke out following the shooting as well, alongside politicians across Pennsylvania.
Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, the Kansas City community, and Chiefs Kingdom. ???????? https://t.co/TmLgmwhRR9
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) February 15, 2024
Praying ???????? for Kansas City.
— Ed Gainey (@gainey_ed) February 14, 2024
My thoughts go out to the Kansas City community amid the tragic shooting at the Super Bowl parade. I'm praying for all victims and their families. Americans should not have to live in a country where we constantly worry about mass shootings. We need action now.
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) February 14, 2024
Six years ago, 17 lives were lost to gun violence in Parkland, FL. Today, at least one person was killed and many were injured in a shooting during the Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade.
A mass shooting on the anniversary of a mass shooting. Only in America.
Commonsense gun reform NOW.
— Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) February 14, 2024
Megan Swift is a TribLive reporter covering trending news in Western Pennsylvania. A Murrysville native, she joined the Trib full time in 2023 after serving as editor-in-chief of The Daily Collegian at Penn State. She previously worked as a Jim Borden Scholarship intern at the Trib for three summers. She can be reached at mswift@triblive.com.
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