One person was killed and multiple children were among 21 injured after a mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl victory rally on Wednesday triggered panic among huge crowds of fans.
Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, which takes patients up to the age of 17, said it was treating 12 people -- 11 of them children, nine for gunshot wounds -- after the shooting, which unfolded just moments after Chiefs players had addressed a vast crowd of cheering supporters gathered nearby.
Police said three people had been taken into custody after the incident, but the motive and circumstances behind the shooting were still under investigation.
Kansas City fire department chief Ross Grundyson told a press conference that many of the victims had sustained "life-threatening injuries."
"We had eight what we considered immediately life-threatening patients, we had seven with life-threatening injuries, and had six that had minor injuries," Grundyson said.
After shots rang out, shocked fans scrambled to flee to safety as police worked to clear Union Station in a tragic end to what had been a joyous morning of celebration to salute the NFL champions.
Paul Contreras, who was at the rally with his three daughters, said he tackled and disarmed one of the suspected shooters before the police arrived.
"I got the right angle on him and I hit him from behind. And when I hit him from behind, I either jarred the gun out of his hand or out of his sleeve," Contreras said on CNN. "I take him down, and I'm putting all my body weight on him. And then another good Samaritan comes over and is helping me."
Victims were treated lying on the ground before being carried away on stretchers as crowds streamed past.
"I'm angry at what happened today," Kansas City Police chief Stacey Graves said. "The people who came to this celebration should expect a safe environment," the police chief added.
Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas was among VIPs at the event who were sent running for cover after shots rang out.
"This is a day that a lot of people look forward to. Something they remember for a lifetime. And what they shouldn't have to remember is the threat of gun violence," Lucas said. The Chiefs meanwhile condemned the shooting as senseless. "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," the franchise said in a statement.
"Praying for Kansas City," City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes wrote on social media.
