Month: February 2024

Kansas City Police said that at least one person was killed and at 22 others were injured in a shooting in Kansas City, Missouri, after a rally on Wednesday celebrating the Chiefs Super Bowl victory. Police Chief Stacey Graves said at least 22 people have gunshot wounds, eight of whom had immediately life-threatening injuries and were transported to hospitals within 10 minutes. Seven others had life-threatening injuries, and six had minor injuries. Interim Kansas City fire chief Ross Grundyson added nine of the victims of the shooting were children, but said he does not yet have the ages of all of the victims.

Gunfire rang out as soon as the confetti began falling as the players left the stage, according to witnesses at the parade.Video on social media showed dozens of officers converging to the right side of the stage and running inside Union Station with their weapons drawn. Local News Press-NOW sports director Jacob Mikeil shared video of authorities rushing into the train station next to the stage.

The Kansas City Police Department said in a statement on social media that three suspects were detained after the shooting near a garage west of Union Station The department did not identify the suspects, and according to a preliminary investigation the shooting appears to be criminal in nature and not terrorism. Police Chief Stacey Graves added firearms were recovered: “We have recovered firearms. I don’t have a number for you or a caliber. We have recovered firearms.” 

Lisa Lopez-Galvan was killed in Wednesday’s shooting near the Kansas City Chiefs victory celebration, according to a statement from her sister, Carmen Lopez Murguia. Kansas City radio station KKFI 90.1 on Facebook identified Lopez-Galvan as one of its DJs: “It is with sincere sadness and an extremely heavy and broken heart that we let our community know that KKFI DJ Lisa Lopez-Galvan, host of Taste of Tejano lost her life today in the shooting at the KC Chiefs’ rally. Our hearts and prayers are with her family.”

The Kansas City Chiefs organization posted a statement on social media, saying they were saddened by the shooting, calling it a “senseless act of violence” and said that their “hearts go out to the victims, their families, and all of Kansas City.” The team said players, coaches and staff are all safe and that they are in communication with local officials.

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce posted on X: “I am heartbroken over the tragedy that took place today. My heart is with all who came out to celebrate with us and have been affected. KC, you mean the world to me.” Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill asked people to join him in prayer for the victims over “this heinous act…Pray that doctors & first responders would have steady hands & that all would experience full healing.”  Quarterback Patrick Mahomes said on the X,“Praying for Kansas City”, and guard Trey Smith said on X: “My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by today’s incidents—a huge thank you to the first responders who ran towards the sound of danger. You’re the ones who should be celebrated today.”

Editorial credit: Logan Bush / Shutterstock.com

House Republicans narrowly voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his handling of the border, exactly one week after their first attempt to impeach him. The articles of impeachment against Mayorkas passed on Tuesday 214-213, with the majority made up of only Republicans and three Republicans voting with Democrats against impeachment. The Republican-led House claimed that Mayorkas failed to enforce border laws amid a “crisis” of high illegal immigration, allegations he denies as “baseless.”

Mayorkas is just the second Cabinet secretary in U.S. history to be impeached — and the first in nearly 150 years. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement: “From his first day in office, Secretary Mayorkas has willfully and consistently refused to comply with federal immigration laws, fueling the worst border catastrophe in American history. He has undermined public trust through multiple false statements to Congress, obstructed lawful oversight of the Department of Homeland Security, and violated his oath of office.  Since this Secretary refuses to do the job that the Senate confirmed him to do, the House must act … [He] deserves to be impeached, and Congress has a constitutional obligation to do so. Next to a declaration of war, impeachment is arguably the most serious authority given to the House and we have treated this matter accordingly.”

Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg said in a statement that “without a shred of evidence or legitimate Constitutional grounds, and despite bipartisan opposition, House Republicans have falsely smeared a dedicated public servant who has spent more than 20 years enforcing our laws and serving our country. Secretary Mayorkas and the Department of Homeland Security will continue working every day to keep Americans safe.”

President Joe Biden harshly criticized House Republicans after the vote for impeachment, saying: “History will not look kindly on House Republicans for their blatant act of unconstitutional partisanship that has targeted an honorable public servant in order to play petty political games.”

Mayorkas will now face a trial in the Democratic-controlled Senate, where a two-thirds majority vote – or 67 senators – will be needed to convict and remove him from office, which is very unlikely. The Senate is out of session, and the soonest it would take up the matter of impeachment would be after lawmakers return to Washington on Feb. 26.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com