Kansas City, Missouri is grappling with the aftermath of a mass shooting that marred what was supposed to be a joyous Super Bowl celebration. As the city tries to recover, police are working closely with juvenile prosecutors to determine the next steps for the two young individuals currently in custody. The tragic incident took place on Wednesday afternoon outside Union Station, where a rally was being held following a parade through the city. Amidst the throng of fans, shots suddenly rang out, resulting in the death of a mother of two and leaving 22 others injured.

Police Chief Stacey Graves revealed on Thursday that the victims ranged in age from 8 to 47, with half of them being under the age of 16. Initially, three juveniles were detained, but one was subsequently released after it was determined that they were not involved in the shooting. While no charges have been filed against the two remaining individuals in custody, police are actively seeking other potential suspects and are urging witnesses, victims, and anyone with cellphone footage of the violence to come forward and contact a dedicated hotline.

Police spokesperson Alayna Gonzalez emphasized that they are collaborating with juvenile prosecutors to thoroughly review the investigative findings and determine the appropriate charges. In the juvenile court system, the custody status of all juvenile arrests is determined. The shooting outside Union Station occurred despite the presence of over 800 police officers in and around the area, including on nearby structures. Mayor Quinton Lucas, who attended the event with his wife and mother, had to run for safety when the shots were fired. However, he does not anticipate canceling the upcoming St. Patrick's Day parade, stating that parades are a regular occurrence in the city. While acknowledging the public safety challenges that come with such events, Lucas believes they will continue as usual.

This celebration marked the third parade since 2020, and the previous ones had not experienced any violence. The parade route was packed with people, with fans even climbing trees and street poles to get a better view. Players rode through on double-decker buses, accompanied by DJs and drummers. The rally had just concluded, and music was still blaring when the shots erupted. Initially, many in the crowd mistook the gunfire for fireworks. Some immediately took cover, while others leapt over barriers and sprinted away, some clutching children in their arms. Eventually, shocked and tearful rallygoers gathered their belongings, trying to navigate their way home. Strangers offered comfort to one another as police cordoned off the area with crime scene tape, replacing the previous atmosphere of celebration with a somber reminder of the tragedy.

The police chief estimated that approximately one million people attended the parade, a significant number considering the city's population of around 470,000 and its metropolitan area of about 2 million. However, she emphasized that the violence was perpetrated by only a small number of individuals. Despite the horrific incident, law enforcement's response was hailed as exemplary.