Kansas City police have refused to rule out terrorism in the Kansas City parade shooting that injured 21, despite images showing a assault rifle at the scene.
Pictures taken at the scene show the rifle perched beside a backpack following the deadly shooting that claimed the life of one person on Wednesday.
Gunmen opened fire moments after the Kansas City Chiefs left the stage on what should have been a triumphant day for the city following their Super Bowl win.
Footage taken at the scene captured the moment the individual with the assault rifle was apprehended by a Chiefs fan.
As the man is pinned to the ground, a woman can be seen grabbing the weapon and moving it away.
Those two individuals have since been identified as couple Trey and Casey Filter, who had been watching the parade with their kids when the mayhem unfolded.
Pictures show the rifle perched beside a backpack following the deadly shooting that claimed the life of one person on Wednesday.
Trey and Casey Filter who had been watching the parade with their kids when the mayhem unfolded
Speaking to Chris Cuomo on NewsNation, Casey told the outlet: ‘I think we just did fight or flight and we just did what we felt we needed to do in that moment.
‘I don’t think we could have just walked away being right there like that.
Trey added: ‘On our way home, we were realizing how close we were to being involved in the initial shooting.
‘Of course, we couldn’t have gotten much closer to the gun there. It’s just really a lot to process and be grateful for.
Casey added: ‘They are pretty proud of their dad, that’s pretty much all I can say about the boys. They are proud.
‘When I saw [the gun] on the ground in front of me it was at my feet, so I saw it and just moved it.’
Explaining how he managed to grab the suspected shooter, Trey said: ‘I turn, I see a flash, and I think to myself I hope that is him.
‘All I recall is barely seeing the guy and I couldn’t believe I caught him, I remember thinking “man I hope that is him”.’
Casy Filter, circled, is seen here picking up the weapon after her husband and others tackled the suspected shooter
Heroic fans ran to tackle the shooter following the incident on Wednesday afternoon
The suspect is seen in this picture after being tackled by the crowd of fans on Wednesday
As well as the Filter family, 46-year-old Paul Contreras recalled the adrenaline-fueled encounter he had when he jumped on one of the three detained gunmen.
Contreras, who attended the event with his daughter Alyssa, was caught on film by his daughter as he launched himself at the suspect.
‘One guy was hollering, saying, you know, “Stop him – catch him, tackle him, or whatever,”‘ Contreras recalled, as footage from others showed the actual tackle in real-time.
‘And he’s just barely running,’ he went on. ‘And out of nowhere I hear that guy hollering, so I’m just like, “OK, I’m right here.”‘
The dutiful dad continued: ‘I didn’t think about it. It’s just a reaction. I didn’t hesitate – just do it.’
Eventually, after what he said seemed like an eternity, cops came to assist the Good Samaritan.
Contreras told KETV 7 Omaha: ‘So, I went to go tackle him and another gentleman did the same thing.
‘And as I’m tackling him,’ he continued, ‘I see there’s a weapon that either fell out his hand, or out of his sleeve – because he was wearing a long jacket, like a Carhartt.’
‘So when I see that hit the ground,’ he went on, ‘I think, you know, we gotta take this guy down.’
People flee after shots were fired near the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVIII victory parade
Joined by his daughter, 46-year-old Paul Contreras recalled the encounter, which 23-year-old Alyssa managed to capture on her phone as her dad jumped into action.
The man, who has yet to be identified, appears to be at least one of three believed to have carried out the attack
Law enforcement officials briefed on the case told NBC that they believe the shooting is criminal in nature, but is not believed to be linked to terrorism.
Officials said: ‘This isn’t about hate and it’s not terrorism, but we’re investigating the situation.’
Children’s Mercy Kansas City said the hospital was treating 12 patients, including eleven kids, TMZ reported, nine of whom have gunshot wounds
St. Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City received one gunshot patient in critical condition and three walk-ins with injuries that were not life-threatening, spokesperson Laurel Gifford said.
‘When you have this many casualties, it´s going to get spread out among a lot of hospitals so that you don´t overwhelm any single ER,’ she said.
In a press conference in the last hour, Police Chief Stacey Graves said: ‘We are working to determine if one of the three are the one that was in that video, where fans assisted police.’
Graves also said that firearms were recovered following the shooting, saying: ‘We have recovered firearms. I don’t have a number for you or a caliber.’
No charges have been announced, and police said no motive has been determined. Police have referred to the people in custody as being detained
A large police presence descended on Union Square after shots rang out at the Kansas City Chiefs Superbowl Parade. It is unclear if the person pictured was involved
Emergency personnel, left, take a stretcher into Union Station following the shooting
Police are seen here clearing the area following the incident on Wednesday afternoon
No charges have been announced, and police said no motive has been determined. Police have referred to the people in custody as being detained.
While Kansas City Fire Chief Ross Grundyson said that eight victims had immediately life-threatening injuries.
Fans were seen scrambling from the scene, with several people wheeled away in stretchers.
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.
The first victim of the shooting was identified on Wednesday evening as being local DJ Lisa Lopez-Galvan.
The Kansas City Star first reported that Lisa Lopez-Galvan died in the shooting on Wednesday.
Close friends confirmed to the outlet that Lopez-Galvan died during surgery at a hospital for a gunshot wound to her abdomen.
The Kansas City Star reported that Lisa Lopez-Galvan died in the shooting on Wednesday
Close friends confirmed to the outlet that Lopez-Galvan died during surgery at a hospital for a gunshot wound to her abdomen
A friend of Lopez-Galvan, Lisa Lopez, told the outlet: ‘She was the most wonderful, beautiful person.
‘She was a local DJ. She did everybody’s weddings. We all know her. She was so full of life.’
The Star reported that Lopez-Galvan was married with two children and worked as a DJ for a community radio station.
She had co-hosted the ‘Taste of Tejano,’ which featured Hispanic music, alongside her brother Beto Lopez.
The incident came moments after superstars including the quarterback, Mahomes, greeted fans following the team’s historic 25-22 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
The team were on buses returning to Arrowhead Stadium when the shooting started.
A heartbroken Mahomes later took to social media offering his condolences. ‘Praying for Kansas City,’ he wrote.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, center, dances with his team during the NFL football team’s Super Bowl celebration in Kansas City
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, right, thanks the crowd for their support, with tight end Travis Kelce behind him and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, left, at their victory rally in Kansas
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.’
The Chiefs said in a statement: ‘We are truly saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred outside of Union Station at the conclusion of today’s parade and rally.
‘Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and all of Kansas City. At this time, we have confirmed that all of our players, coaches, staff and their families are safe and accounted for.
‘We thank the local law enforcement officers and first responders who were on scene to assist.’
The NFL issued its own statement saying it was ‘deeply saddened’ and adding that its ‘thoughts are with the victims and everyone affected.’