Kansas City Chiefs Players Share Messages of Support After Deadly Shooting
What was supposed to be a celebratory victory parade turned into a tragedy.
What should have been a celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl win turned into a tragedy after a shooting broke out at the victory parade on Feb. 14, leaving at least one person dead and more than 20 people injured. Three suspects are in custody after heroic fans tackled and subdued the alleged gunmen, but the community is still reeling and searching for answers in the wake of the senseless violence.
Kansas City Chiefs players have been some of the first to step up and comfort those who've been traumatized by the incident. MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes took to social media in the aftermath of the shooting to share he was "praying for Kansas City."
Praying for Kansas City… ????????????????????????
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) February 14, 2024
Linebacker Drue Tranquill similarly joined the call for prayer. "Please join me in prayer for all the victims in this heinous act," he wrote after the shooting. "Pray that doctors and first responders would have steady hands and that all would experience full healing."
Please join me in prayer for all the victims in this heinous act.
— Drue Tranquill (@DTranquill) February 14, 2024
Pray that doctors & first responders would have steady hands & that all would experience full healing.
Wide receiver Mecole Hardman also shared his prayers, as did offensive tackle Donovan Smith and defensive back Jaylen Watson. Cornerback Trent McDuffie urged people to purge the hate from their hearts while calling for prayer.
Prayers Kansas City ❤️
— Mecole Hardman Jr. (@MecoleHardman4) February 14, 2024
Praying for everyone today in Kansas City ????????????????????????????????
— Donovan Smith (@DSmith_76) February 14, 2024
Praying for all the victims and families that just wanted to come show support for the kingdom????????
— Wat’s Island???? (@JaylenWatson12) February 14, 2024
Get the hate out y’all hearts!! Praying for the Kingdom ????????
— Trent McDuffie (@trent_mcduffie) February 14, 2024
Trey Smith added his voice to the chorus of calls for prayer. He also commended those at the scene who attempted to keep the attendees safe. "My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by today's incidents," he said. "A huge thank you to the first responders who ran towards the sound of danger. You're the ones who should be celebrated today."
Smith added in a Good Morning America interview Feb. 15 that he's "pretty angry" about everything, especially because of how children have been affected. "This is senseless violence. Someone lost their life today," the guard said. "You have children who are injured. You have children who are traumatized."
My thoughts and prayers???????? are with everyone affected by today's incidents—a huge thank you to the first responders who ran towards the sound of danger. You're the ones who should be celebrated today.
— Trey Smith (@treysmith) February 14, 2024
Tight end Travis Kelce shared his sadness on social media. "I am heartbroken over the tragedy that took place today. My heart is with all who came out to celebrate with us and have been affected," he said, going on to shout out the city he loves: "KC, you mean the world to me."
I am heartbroken over the tragedy that took place today. My heart is with all who came out to celebrate with us and have been affected. KC, you mean the world to me.
— Travis Kelce (@tkelce) February 15, 2024
Wide receiver Marquez Valdez-Scantling wanted to do what he can to help the children affected. "Any chance anyone can help me get in touch with these kids or families? First off I want to make sure they’re doing okay. But would love to help them out any way I can and get them some stuff from the team to help with the recovery," he wrote.
Any chance anyone can help me get in touch with these kids or families? First off I want to make sure they’re doing ok. But would love to help them out any way I can and get them some stuff from the team to help with the recovery. https://t.co/xlTJXLi7xT
— Marquez V-S (@MVS__11) February 14, 2024
Justin Reid, a safety for the Chiefs, fumed online about children being subject to violence on what should have been a joyful day.
"This [s--t] is sad, man! Kids are being shot and somebody didn’t come home tonight. We cannot allow this to be normal. We cannot ourselves to become numb and chalk it up to 'just another shooting in America' and reduce people in statistics and then move on tomorrow."
"This is a serious problem!" he added. "I pray our leaders enact real solutions so our kids’ kids won’t know this violence."
This ???? is SAD man! Kids are being shot and somebody didn’t come home tonight. We cannot allow this to be normal. We cannot ourselves to become numb and chalk it up to “just another shooting in America” and reduce people in statistics and then move on tmrw.
— Justin Reid (@JustinqReid) February 15, 2024
This is a SERIOUS…
Defensive end Charles Omenihu echoed the call for greater gun control legislation. "A time of celebration ends in tragedy. When are we going to fix these gun laws? How many more people have to die to say enough is enough?" he said. "It’s too easy for the wrong people to obtain guns in America and that’s a fact."
Prayers for those affected at today’s parade. A time of celebration ends in tragedy. When are we going to fix these gun laws ? How many more people have to die to say enough is enough ? It’s too easy for the wrong people to obtain guns in America and that’s a FACT.
— Charles Omenihu (@charless_94) February 14, 2024
The alleged suspects, meanwhile, remain in custody, and no charges have been filed yet.