As Kansas City celebrated during the Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade, one father unexpectedly became a hero. The annual parade, which unites the city, turned tense when an individual started shooting sporadically.
But in a courageous act of bravery, this father of three sprang into action and tackled the armed individual. Paul Contreras from Bellevue, Nebraska, was among the brave people who chased down and tackled the shooter until authorities arrived that Wednesday.
He and his daughter, Alyssa Marsh-Contreras, shared their story with Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie on TODAY. “It was just a reaction. He was running the wrong way. Another gentleman was screaming at the top of his lungs, ‘This guy, tackle him,'” Contreras said.
“I wasn’t sure until he came running, and I had a perfect angle to do what I did. I took him down. As I took him down, I saw the weapon, the gun, fall to the ground. Whether I hit it out of his hand or it fell out of his jacket because he was wearing a bulky jacket — I see it. … So I knew right then and there, ‘OK, he’s got one weapon, and this one’s on the ground. He may have another one,” he added.
Unfortunately, NBC News reported that one person–Lisa Lopez-Galvan from Kansas City, tragically lost her life in the shooting incident. Additionally, over 21 people were injured, including 11 children aged between 6 and 15. On the other hand, three people were detained. However, the police have not disclosed their identities or announced any charges against them.
On what the shooter looked like, Contreras said he did not see the face of the man he tackled. “When I took him down to the ground, his hood went over his head, so he was face down the whole time,” he said. “I had him face down to the ground with me on top of him and another good Samaritan who helped me.”
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He further mentioned that police officers arrested the individual when they arrived. “I’m looking for where my daughters are because I’m there with all my three daughters,” he added. His daughter, Alyssa Marsh-Contreras, also recounted the incident.
She stated that she, her father, and her sisters were heading towards their car when they heard gunfire erupt. “We hear multiple pops that I think everybody assumed were fireworks,” she said. “We saw two males running along with multiple cops chasing them. Everybody realized those might not have been fireworks for the celebration.”
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Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder also made a statement to The Associated Press. He stated that the team, coaches, and staff were aboard a bus heading back to Arrowhead Stadium when the gunfire broke out. After the shooting, the players and members of the Chiefs organization shared statements expressing their thoughts on the incident.
“We are truly saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred outside of Union Station after today’s parade and rally,” the Chiefs said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and all of Kansas City.”
President Joe Biden also released a statement regarding the shooting. He urged Congress to implement a ban on assault weapons “to keep guns out of the hands of those who have no business owning them or handling them.”
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