Police in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday were questioning three people detained after a deadly mass shooting at a rally to celebrate the city’s Super Bowl victory, hoping to find out what prompted the gunfire, which killed a beloved local DJ.
In addition to the woman who was killed, at least 21 others suffered gunshot wounds on Wednesday outside the city’s landmark Union Station, authorities said, where thousands of fans had gathered with the Kansas City Chiefs to celebrate the team’s NFL championship triumph over the San Francisco 49ers.
The bloodshed, which came at the end of the rally following a parade, turned the festive occasion into a scene of panic as throngs of attendees scrambled for cover at the sound of rapid-fire gunshots.
Local radio station KKFI identified the slain victim as Lisa Lopez, one of its disc jockeys and host of the show “Taste of Tejano.”
“This senseless act has taken a beautiful person from her family and this KC Community,” the radio station said in a post on Facebook.
Fifteen other victims suffered life-threatening wounds, Fire Department Chief Ross Grundyson said at a late-afternoon news conference.
Eleven of those hurt by gunfire or the ensuing pandemonium were children as young as 6, officials said.
None of the football team, their coaches, or other staff attending the rally was injured, the Chiefs said.
Police Chief Stacey Graves told a Wednesday evening news conference three people were detained “and under investigation” in connection with the shooting, but she said investigators had yet to determine a motive.
Circumstances Remain Murky
She said police were still unsure whether the Super Bowl victory celebration was targeted for attack, or whether the violence was incidental to the event and spilled over into it.
Authorities appealed to anyone who had information about the shooting or video that might help shed light on what transpired to share it with police.
Ms. Graves said she was aware of a video purporting to show fans subduing a suspect, and that investigators were reviewing the footage to determine if the individual was one of the people taken into police custody.
By Reuters
