From jubilation to terror in seconds.
Harrowing pictures have captured the moment that the Kansas City Chiefs’ triumphant Super Bowl Parade descended into chaos when bullets started flying.
At least one person has been killed and 22 others have been injured in the horror shooting that unfolded shortly after 3.30pm Wednesday just moments after the team including Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes left the stage.
Terrifying footage captured the frantic aftermath of the shooting as panicked fans ran for their lives.
Groups of fans were seen heroically tackling an armed man to the ground and police said three gunmen were detained, although their identities remain unclear.
Unconfirmed reports indicate multiple children may also have been gunned down in the tragic celebration, and were rushed to nearby Children’s Mercy Hospital.
People flee after shots were fired near the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVIII victory parade
Several people were seen being wheeled away in a stretcher, with reports indicating up to 10 people may have been injured in the chaotic scenes
An injured fan receives assistance and is carried away from the scene of the shooting
A woman with a large cut on her face was seen being stretchered away from the scene
The shooting led to a rapid evacuation of the area, which just moments before was packed with parade-goers
A man in a red hoodie was pictured being arrested, although it is unclear if he was one of those involved in the shooting
Police detained three gunmen at the scene as the parade descended into chaos. It is not clear if the man pictured was involved
Kansas City Fire reportedly said that of those injured, five were ‘serious’, three were ‘critical’, and one person has non-life-threatening injuries.
Police evacuated the train station as huge crowds fled in panic after the shots rang out, with up to one million people expected to have descended on Kansas City for the parade.
Frantic scenes outside the station also included a man appearing to try and sprint from the crowd, before several men tackled him and pinned him to the ground.
Missouri is an open carry state, and it is possible that numerous fans in the crowd were also carrying firearms.
The men who tackled the alleged assailant to the ground exclaimed: ‘We got him – we got the gun!’
A different man in a red hoodie was also pictured being arrested, although it is unclear if he was one of those involved in the shooting.
Kansas City PD Chief Stacey Graves said at a press conference around two hours after the shooting that officers sprang into action and quickly apprehended the gunmen.
‘Officers ran towards danger, and we thank them for that,’ she said.
‘I’m angry at what happened today. People should expect a safe environment,’ Graves continued, noting that over 800 law enforcement were stationed at the parade.
Officials are in the process of clearing all businesses in the area.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said he was inside the Union Station when the shooters began firing. He did not say if he saw the gunmen, but praised the ‘stream of officers ready to face danger’ that darted inside.
A law enforcement officer looks around the scene following the tragedy
A person is loaded onto an ambulance amid reports of up to 22 injured
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said he was inside the Union Station when the shooters began firing. He did not say if he saw the gunmen, but praised the ‘stream of officers ready to face danger’ that darted inside
A large police presence descended on Union Square after shots rang out at the Kansas City Chiefs Superbowl Parade
Fans were seen scrambling from the scene as the shots rang out shortly after players left the stage
The shooting sparked frantic scenes on the streets of Kansas City
The shooting came moments after the Kansas City Chiefs players celebrated their win on stage
The shooting unfolded on the sixth anniversary of the Parkland shooting, when 17 people were killed and 17 others were injured.
Police said they were releasing all of those inside Union Station around 15 minutes after the shooting unfolded, but ordered crowds to remain away from the area.
Around an hour after the shooting, people inside the nearby Westin Hotel were ordered to take shelter as police raced toward the hotel.
Officers cornered an armed person inside an armed parking garage between the Westin Hotel and Union Station, reports KC Star reporter Glenn Rice. It is not clear if this armed person was involved in the parade shooting.
The live broadcast on KSHB 41 showed crowds outside Union Station, where the parade finished, rapidly dispersing with some jumping barriers to make a hasty getaway.
Presenters said that members of the crowd were telling them to get down and people were rushing indoors.
They added that crew members had said they heard a number of loud noises before the fans began fleeing the scene near the World War One museum and memorial.
After thousands of fans fled for their lives, only law enforcement officers were left stationed on the eerily quiet streets
Law enforcement officers look around the scene after an incident following the Kansas City Chiefs victory parade
A large police presence remained at the scene throughout Wednesday afternoon
Thousands had gathered for the celebration before the shooting left eerily quiet scenes
Officials stressed that the incident is a ‘fluid situation’, and information could change rapidly as the situation develops.
Player Drue Tranquill said on X shortly after the shooting: ‘Please join me in prayer for all the victims in this heinous act.
‘Pray that doctors & first responders would have steady hands & that all would experience full healing.’
Patrick Mahomes said: ‘Praying for Kansas City.’
‘Praying for everyone in Kansas City at the parade,’ added Justin Reid.
The White House said in a statement: ‘The President has been briefed on the shooting in Kansas City and will continue to receive updates.
‘White House officials have been in touch with state and local leaders, and federal law enforcement is on the scene supporting local law enforcement.’
Witnesses described terrifying scenes as the family occasion descended into nightmarish scenes.
Gabe Wallace, a sophomore at local Shawnee Mission East, told the Kansas City Star that he was quickly separated from his friends as the carnage unfolded.
He said his only thoughts were ‘my friends are dead’, and said coach Andy Reid comforted him.
Rick Burkholder, a staffer for the Kansas City Chiefs team, said shortly after that Coach Reid was rushed to safety, and he and his family were ‘safe and on a bus headed to Arrowhead.’