Downtown Kansas City was painted red as Chiefs fans flooded the streets to celebrate their third Super Bowl title in five seasons with a victory parade. The anticipation and excitement were palpable as the city prepared for the festivities. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas expressed his excitement, stating, "It never gets old," on the eve of the parade.

One question on the minds of many fans was whether pop superstar Taylor Swift would join her boyfriend Travis Kelce for the parade and victory speeches. Swift had not made any comments regarding her attendance, but the logistics seemed challenging. She had to be in Melbourne, Australia, 17 hours ahead of Kansas City, for her Eras Tour concerts by 6 p.m. Friday. The flight alone would take approximately 17 hours. Despite the slim possibility of her presence, the thought, combined with the unseasonably warm temperatures in the 60s Fahrenheit, was expected to draw a crowd of over 1 million people.

The city and the team each contributed around $1 million for the event, commemorating the Chiefs' historic back-to-back Super Bowl victories. As a result, many of the largest school districts in the area canceled classes, and businesses along the parade route turned the day into a viewing party for their workers. The Kansas City Police Department also took measures to ensure the safety of the event, stationing at least 600 police officers along the 2-mile parade route.

This victory parade was not the first for Kansas City in recent years. Five seasons ago, the Chiefs won their first Super Bowl championship in 50 years, followed by the Kansas City Royals winning the World Series in 2015. Fans had shown their dedication by abandoning their cars on the side of the highway to join the celebrations. Last year, the Chiefs vowed to return to the Super Bowl after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles. Now, their promise had come true, and the city was ready to honor their champions once again.

However, amidst the joy and excitement, tragedy struck. Chaos erupted outside Union Station, the former train station where the victory parade was taking place. A shooting occurred, leaving one person dead and 21 others injured, including eight children. The incident sent fans running for safety, disrupting the celebratory atmosphere. Police confirmed that all the victims were hit by gunshots, with seven in serious condition and six moderately wounded. The injured were being treated in three different hospitals.

Following the shooting, three individuals, including at least two armed suspects, were taken into custody, and firearms were recovered. Police believed the incident to be criminal rather than terror-related, although the motive remained unknown. Stacey Graves, the police chief, expressed her anger and disappointment, as over 800 officers were on duty to ensure everyone's safety. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, who had attended the parade with his wife and mother, described the harrowing experience of having to run for safety. He expressed his heartbreak and offered prayers for the victims.

The Kansas City Chiefs, in a statement on X, expressed their deep sadness over the senseless act of violence that occurred outside Union Station. They extended their condolences to the victims, their families, and the entire Kansas City community. Despite the tragic turn of events, the Chiefs' victory in Sunday's game remained a significant achievement. The team had won 25-22 in overtime, securing their second consecutive Super Bowl title and their third in five seasons.

As the city mourned the loss and recovered from the shooting, the Chiefs' players, staff, and coaches were confirmed to be safe. The focus shifted to supporting the victims and their families during this difficult time. The celebration had been marred by tragedy, but the spirit of resilience and unity that Kansas City had shown in previous victories would undoubtedly prevail once again.