While multiple suspects are in custody for the Wednesday mass shooting at the Kansas City parade for the Kansas City Chiefs, no charges have yet been filed. The number of suspects in custody has not yet been released, although it is known that at least two are juveniles. The Kansas City Police Chief cited the need to develop a case for prosecution for the delay.
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves held a press conference on Thursday to update the press on the ongoing investigation, announcing that prosecutors were still working on bringing charges.
"We have not charged them yet. This is still under investigation. We do have 24 hours until we have to either file charges or release them," said Graves.
She continued, "And again, we are working closely with the Jackson County prosecutor's office to present the most successful case for prosecution to their actions with linking them to the actual shooting."
Previously on RedState: NEW (Updated): Shots Ring Out at KC Super Bowl Victory Parade, 22 People Struck, 1 Confirmed Dead
WATCH: Brave Chiefs Fans Tackle Suspected Parade Shooter in Wild Video, Hold Him Till Cops Arrive
The incident would appear to not be the result of deliberate targeting of the parade, but rather due to a conflict between two groups of people. It is not known whether there was any gang affiliation involved, although any connections to terror or extremist groups appear to have been ruled out.
"First and foremost, I want to stress that preliminary investigative findings have shown there was no nexus to terrorism or homegrown violent extremism," Graves said. "This appeared to be a dispute between several people that ended in gunfire."
Authorities also noted that despite initial reports speculating that the gunfire was erupting in multiple locations, this is no longer the belief of investigators and the violence was "mostly on the West side of Union station."
Kansas City police reported 23 known victims in Wednesday's shooting, including one fatality, now identified as 43-year-old Lisa Lopez-Galvan. President Biden wasted no time in taking advantage of the attack for political purposes, calling on Wednesday for more federal gun control legislation.
When charges are filed in the Wednesday shooting incident, the identities of the (adult) suspects will become known, as will, presumably, booking photos.
While it is as yet unclear as to whether gang activity was the cause of Wednesday's shooting, Kansas City has a recent history of gang activity:
- In August of 2023, a six-count federal indictment was filed against members of the Park Side Greasies, the Click Clack Gang, and the South Benton Gang for crimes of violence, including conspiracy to commit murder.
- In September 2022, four members of a Kansas City street gang were arrested and convicted of crimes including drug possession, firearms possession, drug distribution, and money laundering.
- In August 2019, following a 10-week investigation, U.S. Marshals arrested 355 people and seized nearly 70 firearms in Kansas City.
- In October 2019, 20 men were arrested and charged by the FBI in a massive drug trafficking operation.
This is a developing story. We will continue to bring you updates as events warrant.
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