What was an epic celebration for Kansas City has become a devastating loss after a fatal shooting at the Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade.
On Wednesday afternoon, following the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory, at least one person was killed and 21 others injured, including many children, in a mass shooting.
Local police have now confirmed that the shooting was a dispute between several people, including 2 juveniles who remain in custody. 23 victims have been identified thus far, with over half under the age of 16.
This marks the 48th mass shooting in 2024. That is more than 1 per day. It has added to the list of yet another place where a sense of safety has been punctured by gun violence, with American churches, schools, grocery stores, and outlet malls already plagued by shootings.
This shooting has prompted many to speak out about the importance of gun control, including President Biden. Mr. Biden is calling for better background checks and a ban on assault weapons, which Missouri notably lacks.
Missouri’s gun laws are considered some of the laxest in the country, requiring neither a background check for the purchase of a firearm nor a permit for concealed carry. There are also no restrictions on gun ownership for people who have been convicted of violent crimes, and firearms are not required to be locked up to prevent children from accessing them. The state also does not have a ban on assault weapons.
CLICK HERE to read more about Missouri’s gun laws and regulations.
The shooting, which occurred on the sixth anniversary of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing epidemic of gun violence plaguing the nation.
Now, we remember Lisa Lopez-Galvan, who was tragically killed. She was a local radio show host and a loving mother of 2. Lopez-Galvan was described by friends as “the light of every party.”
During an interview with CNN, Beto Lopez, the brother of Lopez-Galvan, stressed the importance of recognizing each victim of gun violence as a real person, not merely a statistic.
You have tragic situations like this one that occur unfortunately way too often and a lot of times individuals get lost as just statistics or numbers. My sister was a real person. She was a very loving, caring, and devoted mother.”
Quote from Beto Lopez obtained by Nouran Salahieh, Dakin Andone, Shimon Prokupecz, and Josh Campbell, CNN. February 15, 2024
Many members of the Chiefs organization have given statements. Justin Reid, the teams safety, has spoken up similarly to Lopez.
“Kids are being shot and somebody didn’t come home tonight. We cannot allow this to be normal,” Reid wrote on X, “We cannot ourselves to become numb and chalk it up to ‘just another shooting in America’ and reduce people in statistics and then move on tmrw.”
Unfortunately, the shooting in Kansas City was not an isolated incident, as other cities also experienced gun violence on the same day, further highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive reform. In Washington, D.C., at least four law enforcement officers were injured by gunfire. And in Atlanta, someone opened fire from a car at a high school, wounding four students.
As the nation grapples with the devastating consequences of mass shootings, the lack of significant change underscores the continued challenges in addressing this crisis. In 2023, there were 2 mass shootings almost every day.
We cannot allow ourselves to become desensitized to the constant stream of shootings that plague our streets, our schools, and our communities. Amidst the grief and sorrow, there is a resounding call for change. It is not enough to offer condolences and move on until the next tragedy strikes.
It’s time for a change. It’s time to end the cycle of gun violence that grips our nation. Let us honor the victims by turning our grief into action and working tirelessly to build a safer, more just society for all. The time for change is now.