Two teens remain in custody following mass shooting at Chiefs rally. Third released
Two teenagers remain in custody while police work with prosecutors following the deadly mass shooting that unfolded Wednesday as the Chiefs victory rally wrapped up at Union Station.
A third juvenile who had been detained was not involved and has been released, Officer Alayna Gonzalez, a spokeswoman for the Kansas City Police Department, said Thursday afternoon.
“The two juveniles are currently being held in custody while we work with juvenile prosecutors to review investigative findings and determine applicable charges,” Gonzalez said.
The Office of the Juvenile Officer acts as a prosecutor for criminal cases brought against minors. Proceedings are held in family court.
Depending on the seriousness of criminal charges filed in family court, juvenile defendants may face a mandatory certification hearing to determine whether they are tried as adults. Such offenses requiring a mandatory certification include first-degree assault and murder.
Kansas City Police Department Chief Stacey Graves said the shooting started over a dispute. Police did not share further details about what led to the altercation. Graves said several firearms had been recovered.
Of the known factors that lead to homicides, arguments top the list, according to data from the Kansas City Police Department.
Rosilyn Temple, founder of KC Mothers in Charge, said people do not know “how to agree and disagree and walk away.”
She also said changing the culture of violence in Kansas City starts in the home, by addressing trauma and mental health and decreasing access to guns.
“I’m hoping Kansas City really wakes up,” she said.
Gunshots erupted shortly before 2 p.m. Wednesday on the west side of Union Station. The shooting sent rally-goers rushing for cover.
As officials gathered more information in the wake of the shooting, the number of victims ticked up to 23, including a woman who died. Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a Johnson County mother of two, died at the scene. Nine children were also among the gunshot victims. All were expected to recover, a Children’s Mercy spokeswoman said.
A massive crime scene at Union Station remained cordoned off Thursday as members of the community began coping with what the Chiefs called a “senseless act of violence.”
This story was originally published February 15, 2024 at 3:58 PM.
