Kansas City Mayor Almost Brought Young Son to Chiefs Parade Where Gunfire Erupted: 'Tragedy'

One person was killed and 22 were injured in the shooting after the Kansas City Chiefs parade, say police

Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Quinton Lucas almost brought his 3-year-old son to the Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade on Wednesday but ultimately decided against it.

Not long after, he was among the many people running from gunfire during a shooting that killed one person and injured 22 others.

“When the shooting started, I like many others, ran and ran for safety,” the mayor said during a Wednesday press conference, before praising first responders.

“This is absolutely a tragedy, the likes of which we could’ve never expected in Kansas City," Lucas added. "The likes of which we will remember for some time.”

Related: Kansas City Chiefs Confirm All Players and Family Are Safe After Deadly Parade Shooting: 'Truly Saddened'

"Today was tragic for everyone who was part of it," Lucas said at a second press conference later Wednesday afternoon, "I had the chance to talk to my wife just a moment ago who said we became part of a statistic of too many Americans -- those who have experienced or been part of been connected to a mass shooting. That is something that I think is highly problematic for all of us."

The gunfire broke out near Union Station, shortly after the rally in front of the station celebrating the Chiefs' victory in Sunday's Super Bowl.

Two armed suspects have been arrested, said Police Chief Stacey Graves at Wednesday's press conference, adding that she heard that fans may have helped subdue a shooter.

The motive for the violence is still under investigation, Graves said.

"I'm angry at what happened today," Graves said. "The people who came to this celebration should expect a safe environment."

Related: 1 Killed, 22 Wounded in Shooting Near Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Parade: Police

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Numerous people were seen on stretchers in the aftermath of the shooting.

A woman who attended the parade with a group of friends told PEOPLE, “I saw two people bleeding on the ground and we got out of there as fast as we could run.”

Another woman, who attended the parade with her husband and daughter, said, “We heard the shots and I grabbed my daughter’s hand and ran with the group. When people start running like that, I knew it was something.”

"Praying for Kansas City," Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes wrote on X (formerly Twitter) in the aftermath of the shooting.

• With reporting by NATASHA DYE

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