Amid the chaos that occurred today at the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory parade due to a shooting, two citizens risked their lives to arrest one of the alleged perpetrators. Hours after the tragedy, one of them came forward to share what he felt at that moment. The latest count from the authorities indicates that the shooting – which occurred a few meters from the pep rally that the team was carrying out with its fans – left two dead and 22 injured; of the latter, eleven were children.
🚨🇺🇸 HERO THAT TACKLED KANSAS CITY CHIEFS PARADE SHOOTER SPEAKS OUT
Paul Contreras: “I didn’t hesitate. It was just do it. So I went to go tackle him and another gentleman did the same thing and as I’m tackling him, I see his weapon either fall out of his hand or out of his… https://t.co/iOAu7Pztyp pic.twitter.com/22fwVCb26F
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 15, 2024
It was a one-second reaction
In statements to local media hours after the events, Paul Contreras, one of the heroes of the moment, said, “I didn’t even think about it. It was just a reaction. I didn’t doubt it.” In the videos that have come to light about the moment, you can see Paul and a second man chase a person, knocking them to the ground and then subduing them. “It was just do it, so I went to go tackle him, and another gentleman did the same thing, and as I’m tackling him, I see his weapon either fall out of his hand or out of his sleeve,” explained the Omaha native about the moment.
CITIZENS TACKLE GUNMAN AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS SUPERBOWL PARADE:
Several people were shot in Kansas City, Missouri, on Wednesday, after revelers gathered to celebrate with a parade and rally for the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win, according to police.
The shooting took place west of… pic.twitter.com/efdi93Hf6B
— Rob Vendetti (@rob_vendetti) February 14, 2024
The reactions after the events
The NFL and several teams, led by the Chiefs, as well as players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, among others, have published their condolences for these attacks. Also, the governors of Kansas, Laura Kelly, and Missouri, Mike Parson, took to their social media to condemn the events and ask citizens for their collaboration in letting emergency teams work. At least two suspects were arrested near Union Station, but authorities have not provided further details.
