The Kansas City Police do not believe that the Chiefs' victory parade shooting was an act of terrorism.
The shooting left 22 people injured and a 43-year-old mother of two, Elizabeth Galvan, dead.
The incident could have been far worse — but two brave fathers, Trey Filter and Paul Contreras, tackled and subdued one of the alleged gunmen.
In an update on Thursday, KCMPD Chief Stacey Graves said the victims ranged from 8 to 47, and at least half of the injured were under the age of 16. Third Update of Shooting at Union Station after Chiefs Parade https://t.co/koRVdbHiJJ
— kcpolice (@kcpolice) February 15, 2024
Graves also said, "Preliminary investigative findings have shown there was no nexus to terrorism or homegrown violent extremism."
"This appeared to be a dispute between several people that ended in gunfire," the police chief stated.
Shooting survivor Jacob Gooch Sr. also spoke to CBS News about hearing an altercation before the shooting began.
Gooch, who was shot in the ankle, said that he had heard a girl saying, "Don't do it, not here, this is stupid."
"My daughter said that some lady was holding him back, and people started backing up, and he pulled it out and starting shooting and spinning in a circle," Gooch said.
His wife and son were also shot, non-fatally, during the incident. His daughter was not injured.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas also told "CBS Mornings" that there was no indication that it was an act of terrorism during an appearance on Thursday morning.
"We also know that this, at least from sounds, was some sort of rapid fire firearm that would be either consistent in situations with a switch device, or something else that fires rapidly rather than perhaps a traditional type revolver," he said.
Lucas also urged people who attended the celebration to "take some time and space."
"That was a lot of people who are part of a very traumatic incident, and a lot of children," Lucas said. "Please talk to them, hug them, pray with them, process with them. Things shouldn't be this way. But it's okay to be hurting today. We will get through this together."
Two teenagers are currently in custody. There may be additional arrests.
