Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes offered his prayers after a shootout at the Super Bowl champions' victory parade.
The Chiefs' celebration outside Union Station in Kansas City descended into chaos on Wednesday when shots were fired after stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce had just left the stage.
At least 22 people were injured, several children were reportedly taken to nearby Children's Mercy Hospital, and one is dead.
Super Bowl MVP Mahomes shared a message on social media about an hour after the shooting escorting the Chiefs back to Arrowhead Stadium.
“I'm praying for Kansas City…” the quarterback posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Patrick Mahomes offered his prayers after a shooting at the Chiefs' victory parade
The Super Bowl MVP shared a message on social media about an hour after the shooting
People flee after shots were fired near the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl LVIII victory parade
Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill, 28, also asked fans to join him in prayer in a message shared on social media.
“Please join me in praying for all the victims of this heinous act,” the Chiefs player wrote.
“Pray that doctors and first responders will have steady hands and that everyone will receive a complete healing.”
More and more prayers came from Chiefs players as safety Justin Reid also posted, “Praying for everyone in Kansas City at the parade.”
“I'm praying for everyone in Kansas City today,” Donovan Smith shared, while security guard Trey Smith added, “My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by today's incidents – a big thank you to the first responders who responded to the sound “You are the ones who should be celebrated today.”
“Let the hate out of your hearts!!” “Pray for the Kingdom,” Trent McDuffie later posted.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said the Chiefs organization has confirmed that all players and staff are safe and will be held accountable.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill, 28, also asked fans to join him in prayer
More and more prayers came from Chiefs players and members of the organization
Team buses left the scene about half an hour after the incident and returned to Arrowhead Stadium.
Chiefs Vice President of Content and Production Robert G. Alberino Jr. also confirmed that the organization's production team, game day cheer team, flag team and mascots were taken into account.
In the photo, a man wearing a red hoodie was arrested. However, it is unclear whether he was one of those involved in the shooting.
Officials are now clearing the streets around the train station, where up to a million people had gathered to celebrate the victory.
Fans were seen fleeing the scene and several people were wheeled away on stretchers.
In the photo, a man wearing a red hoodie was arrested. However, it is unclear whether he was one of those involved in the shooting
Police said they released everyone about 15 minutes after the shooting began in Union Square.
The live broadcast on KSHB 41 showed crowds outside Union Station, where the parade ended, quickly dispersing and jumping over some barriers to make a hasty escape.
The presenters said that members of the crowd asked them to get out and that people rushed into the house.
They added that crew members said they heard a series of loud noises before fans began fleeing the scene near the World War I museum and memorial.
Just moments earlier, stars Mahomes and Kelce celebrated their back-to-back Super Bowl triumph, hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy in front of their adoring fans for the third time in five years.
But the scenes of celebration quickly turned into chaos and heartbreak.