DJ Elizabeth “Lisa” Lopez-Galvan, one of the victims, who died from the shooting/Twitter
Originally posted on KMBC by Nick Sloan
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said Thursday that the shooting that left 22 people with gunshot wounds and a woman dead started as a dispute between several people at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Victory Parade and Rally.
Kansas City leaders and police continue working Thursday to sort through evidence in Wednesday’s Kansas City Chiefs parade and rally shooting at Union Station.
Graves confirmed that the 22 shooting victims ranged between eight years old and 47 years old. At least half of the victims are under the age of 16.
Officials at University Health said Thursday that of the adult gunshot wound victims rushed to their hospital Wednesday, two remain in critical condition and are both in the ICU, however, they are showing improvement.
Doctors with University Health praised the Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department for triaging the victims in a way that made sure the patient with the most severe injury arrived at the hospital first.
One physician said the first patient to arrive was able to be rushed immediately to the operating room for surgery, and both critical patients are likely alive today because of their efforts.
Officials with Children’s Mercy Hospital said Thursday afternoon that of the nine children in the hospital with gunshot wounds, all but three have been discharged. The remaining three children are expected to recover.
Graves said three people were detained after the incident that left the city reeling following what was supposed to be a day of celebration. Two of those suspects are teenage juveniles. Police said Thursday afternoon that the adult who was detained has been released.
A police spokesperson added that investigators determined the adult was not involved in the shooting.
Kansas City police also the 24-hour investigative hold rule does not apply to juveniles.
“The two juveniles are currently being held in custody while we work with juvenile prosecutors to review investigative findings and determine applicable charges,” police said in a statement. “The juvenile court system determines the custody status of all juvenile arrests.”
Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas said Thursday morning that the investigation continues into the shooting and the individuals who were taken into custody are being questioned by law enforcement. In Missouri, authorities have 24 hours to prosecute individuals suspected of a crime before they must be released from custody.
DJ Elizabeth “Lisa” Lopez-Galvan, one of the victims, who died from the shooting/Twitter
Graves said in a Thursday morning news conference that the department is working to present the most complete case possible to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office for charges.
Photos and video from the scene showed bystanders jumping in to tackle at least one of the suspects, while police led another man away in handcuffs.
Meanwhile, others jumped into action to try and help victims of the shooting.
Kansas City radio station KKFI confirmed Wednesday night that one of its DJs, Elizabeth “Lisa” Lopez-Galvan, host of Taste of Tejano, died in the shooting.
Lopez-Galvan is the sister of Lee’s Summit Mayor Pro Tem Beto Lopez, according to the city’s mayor.
Along with losing his sister, Lopez’s two nieces and nephew were also injured.
“Our dear friend Mayor Pro Tem Beto Lopez and his family need our prayers now and tonight,” said Lee’s Summit Mayor Bill Baird. “His family members were victims in the parade today. His sister was killed. He has two nieces and a nephew also injured in the horrific shooting. This is truly heartbreaking and an absolute tragedy. Though we feel helpless we can pray for him and his family and offer our most sincere condolences and empathy. Beto and Venessa, we love you…we are praying for you…we will pray even harder as you deal with the loss and heartache.”
The Kansas City Fire Department says eight victims had ‘immediate life-threatening injuries,’ seven had life-threatening injuries, and six had non-life threatening.
Victims were transported to three different hospitals: Children’s Mercy Hospital, Truman Medical Center, and St. Luke’s Hospital.
Children’s Mercy Hospital said Wednesday night that they were treating 11 children at the hospital, including nine gunshot victims.
All of the children are expected to make a recovery, according to the hospital.
The age range of the victims was between 6-15 years old.
Graves said officers immediately responded to the area and performed life-saving measures to aid victims.
“We know officers ran towards danger,” she said. “Officers were there to keep everyone safe.”
Over 800 police officers were on scene, 600 of which were from the Kansas City Police Department.
“I’m angry at what happened today,” Graves said. “The people who came to this celebration should expect a safe environment. We had over 800 law enforcement officers at this location.”
Kansas City police, FBI seeking video:
The FBI and Kansas City Police Department have set up an online page dedicated to tips about Wednesday’s shooting at Union Station.
The shooting killed one person and wounded 22 others.
The FBI is encouraging parade-goers to provide any video of the parade that could help them in the case.
That site is here.
Kansas City police have also set up a separate phone number on the case. If you have information, call police at 816-413-3477
“We need to hear from anyone in the vicinity of the parade shooting today that directly witnessed the shooting incident, has any video of the shooting incident or who was a victim of the shooting who has not yet reported being shot to please call this dedicated line 816-413-3477,” KCPD said in a tweet.
#KCChiefsParadeShooting #KansasCityChiefstragedy #UnionStationShooting