18-year-old Dominic Miller and 23-year-old Lyndell Mays were charged with “second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.” As the parade concluded, locals overheard Miller and Mays arguing with one another, which quickly escalated to gunfire. Two other teenagers were also charged with both gun-related offenses and with resisting arrest. 

Video evidence from the event shows onlookers chasing down and tackling the shooters, detaining them until the police arrived. In an interview with NBC’s Today Show, Paul Contreras, who was seen tackling one of the shooters, explains the event. “When I took him down to the ground, his hood went over his head so he was face down the whole time,” Contreras said. “I had him face down to the ground with me on top of him…”

As our community members and families process the tragedy that took place, the Chiefs players have teamed up with United Way of Greater Kansas City, a non-profit organization, to launch the #KCStrong Fund for emergency monetary funding to support those affected by the shooting, violence protection organizations, recovery facilities and first responders.

Lisa Lopez-Galvan, whose life was unfortunately taken at the shooting, was a part of the William Jewell community, both as a sister and as an aunt. In a supportive effort to honor Ms. Lopez-Galvan, the Faith and Culture center at Jewell has set up a memorial outside of Gano Chapel.

Other past deadly mass shootings include the Orlando Pulse nightclub mass shooting in 2016, the  Virginia Tech Shooting in 2007, the Sandy Hook Shooting in 2012, the Luby’s Cafeteria Shooting in 1991, the McDonald’s Massacre in 1984, the University of Texas Tower Shooting in 1966, the U.S. Postal Service Massacre in 1986, the San Bernardino Attack in 2015 and the Binghamton Shooting in 2009.

The Harvest Music Festival that took place in Las Vegas Oct. 1 was the deadliest shooting in U.S. History. A gunman, later identified as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, opened fire on a crowd of at least 20,000 people from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Paddock was reportedly armed with around 20 rifles. He ended up killing 58 people and injuring more than 500. The shooter was later found dead. The authorities believe he killed himself.

On Nov. 5, 2017, a gunman later identified as Devin Patrick Kelley walked into a church in rural Sutherland Springs, Texas and opened fire on worshipers. He ended up killing 26 people and leaving several others injured. The shooter was later found dead by the authorities. It is unknown whether he killed himself. This was the deadliest shooting in Texas history.

The most recent shooting took place in northern California Nov. 14. A shooter later identified as Kevin Janson shot four people and started shooting at an elementary school before he was shot down by the police. It was later discovered that he also killed his wife and buried her under his floor earlier that day.  

Some argue that gun control would restrict gun violence-related crimes. Some rules have been suggested to limit the number of gun violence victims, including universal background checks, banning bump stocks and adopting micro-stamping of cartridges to track guns. On the other hand, some people believe that America needs more trained citizens carrying guns and argue that guns are not the problem and should therefore not be restricted. They blame mass shootings on mental illness and propose improvements to the mental health system. Still others believe that it is an issue of national security and propose the solution of having more armed forces in public events.

Photo Courtesy of Business Insider.