close
Thursday May 16, 2024

Radio DJ killed in Super Bowl parade shooting as injury toll surpasses 20

Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Drue Tranquill among other players were onstage when shooting occurred

By Web Desk
February 15, 2024
Lisa Lopez-Galvan, host of KKFI radio 90.1 FMs Taste of Tejano was killed in a shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade in Kansas City, Missouri, US on February 14, 2024. — KKFI radio 90.1 FM
 Lisa Lopez-Galvan, host of KKFI radio 90.1 FM's "Taste of Tejano" was killed in a shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade in Kansas City, Missouri, US on February 14, 2024. — KKFI radio 90.1 FM

The person killed in the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade shooting has been identified as a local radio disc jockey (DJ), while the injury toll from the gun attack has climbed to 22 on Wednesday, according to police.

The deceased was identified as Lisa Lopez-Galvan, according to CNN, who died while receiving surgery for gunshot wounds at a local hospital.

"It is with sincere sadness and an extremely heavy and broken heart that we let our community know that KKFI DJ Lisa Lopez, host of Taste of Tejano lost her life," KKFI radio 90.1 FM shared on Facebook.

Later, in a news conference, Police Chief Stacey Graves revealed that three people were detained "and under investigation" in connection with the shooting near the city's landmark Union Station.

Fans flee as shots were fired after the celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs winning Super Bowl LVIII in Kansas City, Missouri, US on February 14, 2024. — AFP
Fans flee as shots were fired after the celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs winning Super Bowl LVIII in Kansas City, Missouri, US on February 14, 2024. — AFP

She said investigators had no known motive for the gun violence. Eleven of those hurt by gunfire or the ensuing chaos were children aged six to 15.

Meanwhile, a Children's Mercy Kansas City hospital spokesperson said that nine of the 12 patients were gunshot victims.

The number of people struck by gunfire, which previously stood at nine, climbed to at least 22 of whom 15 suffered life-threatening wounds, Fire Department Chief Ross Grundyson said at a late-afternoon news conference.

An injured person being loaded on an ambulance by paramedics after shots were fired at the celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs winning Super Bowl LVIII in Kansas City, Missouri, US on February 14, 2024. — AFP
An injured person being loaded on an ambulance by paramedics after shots were fired at the celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs winning Super Bowl LVIII in Kansas City, Missouri, US on February 14, 2024. — AFP

Hours after the shooting, the precise circumstances remained unclear, and authorities were still determining the full extent of casualties and age range of the victims.

Graves acknowledged that some fans may have participated in the pursuit and capture of at least one of the suspects, and investigators were reviewing video of the incident.

According to CNN, an estimated 1 million people were in downtown Kansas City for the parade and rally to mark the Chiefs' repeat championship win.

Players including Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and linebacker Drue Tranquill among others were still on the stage of the victory rally with their families also in attendance when the shooting took place.

However, the Chiefs' Vice President of Content and Production Robert G Alberino Jr confirmed that players, their families, the organisation's production crew, game day crew cheer team, flag team and mascots were all accounted for.

They were all immediately transported to Arrowhead Stadium.

The shooting was at least the 48th mass shooting in the United States this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.