Connect with us

Kansas

Andy Reid Calls for ‘Togetherness’ in Message to Kansas City’s Youth After Deadly Parade Shooting: ‘You’re Our Future’

Published

on

Andy Reid Calls for ‘Togetherness’ in Message to Kansas City’s Youth After Deadly Parade Shooting: ‘You’re Our Future’


Speaking with reporters for the first time since a deadly mass shooting took place at the end of the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2024 Super Bowl parade, Andy Reid made a plea to the city’s youth.


“You’re our future,” the Chiefs head coach, 65, told reporters at a press conference Tuesday, per the Associated Press. “And as great as we can make this place, we want to do that. We can turn this, which was a negative, into a real positive. With just a little togetherness and love, we can fix a lot of problems.”


Advertisement

The Feb. 14 shooting left one woman dead and wounded 22 others. More than half of the victims were under the age of 16, according to local authorities.


Police later arrested and charged Dominic M. Miller, who is 18 or 19 years old, and Lyndell Mays, who is 23 years old, with second-degree murder. Meanwhile, two juveniles who were allegedly involved in the shooting were also arrested and charged with “gun-related” offenses.




A sign made from chairs spelled out “KC STRONG” Thursday afternoon, Feb. 15, 2024, in front of Union Station, the site of a mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl rally on Wednesday.
Advertisement

Tammy Ljungblad/The Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty



On the day of the shooting, Reid was among those offering immediate comfort to children at the scene. “Andy Reid was trying to comfort me, which was nice,” a teenager recalled to The Kansas City Star. “He was kind of hugging me, just like, ‘Are you OK, man? Are you OK? Just please breathe.’ He was being real nice and everything.” 


The teen added that the head coach — who is known as “Big Red” — then “left to check on other people.” 

Advertisement


Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter or breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.


Days later, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany, visited the local Children’s Mercy Hospital to meet two young sisters who were shot at the parade. “In a time where they are traumatized, saddened, and worried, having a surprise appearance from Patrick and Brittany Mahomes brought the first smile to their faces since tragedy struck,” the family said in a statement to PEOPLE.


Advertisement

“Even though they will be wearing casts for several months they are excited to show loved ones that Patrick signed their cast,” they continued.




Law enforcement and medical personnel respond to a shooting at Union Station during the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl LVIII victory parade on February 14, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. Several people were shot and two people were detained after a rally celebrating the Chiefs Super Bowl victory.

 Jamie Squire/Getty



Advertisement

Reid’s comments during Tuesday’s press conference at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis “marked the first time anyone from the [Chiefs] organization spoke publicly” since the shooting, the AP reported. The outlet noted that the “team had previously issued a written statement.”


During the conference, Reid also shared his condolences for Lisa Lopez-Galvan, the 43-year-old mother of two who was killed in the shooting. “I want to share my condolences for the Galvan and Lopez family for their loss of Lisa, and for the people of Kansas City,” Reid told reporters, asking them to hold football-related questions until after he spoke about the deadly shooting.


He added, “She was a personality there, and a very good human being, first of all. We’ll all miss her, as I know her family will.”

Advertisement



Source link

Kansas

Farmer receives support from community after Kansas wildfire destroys home

Published

on

Farmer receives support from community after Kansas wildfire destroys home


KISMET, Kan. (KWCH) – Last month, wildfires in southern Kansas raged, destroying farmer Randall Thorp’s property, tools and 960 acres of land.

As he handles the massive cleanup project, he knows he is not alone.

“It’s about the greatest show of love I’ve ever seen,” Thorpe said. “I didn’t realize that I would have all this support in my greatest time of need.”

The two main contributors to Thorp’s optimism are the community around him and his faith.

Advertisement

“I’ve seen a lot of darkness that, because of my faith in Jesus, I can see the light in my heart,” Thorp said. “And that’s what keeps me going.”

Throughout the past few weeks, friends, family and neighbors have come to his property to help sort out and clean up the debris.

“I come out here and I’m by myself and I find it hard to do anything, but when a group of people all shows up and they’re wanting to work, then I’m ready to get to work with them, and they’re all ready to help me,” Thorp said.

Even with all the uncertainty following the fire, Thorp has been able to feed the 150 cattle he has, a number that is now growing since it is calving season. Friendly helpers are providing free hay for his animals to eat.

There’s a long way until things will be back to normal, but Thorp is determined to get there.

Advertisement

“You know, I can see some light at the end of the tunnel, but I’ve got to stay strong and keep it going and make it through,” Thorp said.

The powerful show of dependability from fellow Kansans is something he will never forget.

“I’ve been shown lots of love,” Thorp said.

You can still donate to Thorp’s GoFundMe here.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Kansas

Kansas City International Airport reopens after ‘threat’ prompts FBI, cops to swarm terminal

Published

on

Kansas City International Airport reopens after ‘threat’ prompts FBI, cops to swarm terminal


Kansas City International Airport in Missouri was partly evacuated over a “threat” Sunday afternoon but has since resumed “normal operations,” officials said.

“The security incident at [Kansas City International Airport] is now clear and normal operations are resuming,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote on X.

“I want to thank law enforcement including the FBI for their timely response. The safety of our passengers, airport staff, and crew members is always our number one priority.”

Airport representative Jackson Overstreet told The Associated Press in an email that the threat was reported at 11:50 a.m. local time, at which point an entire terminal was evacuated.

Advertisement

He said planes that landed after the threat were being held on the taxiway until it could be fully investigated.

Passengers gather on the tarmac at Kansas City International Airport after being evacuated due to a “threat” on March 8, 2026. J McDonough via KCTV

Airport staff gathered on the tarmac in front of a terminal and jet bridge.
Roughly 2,000 people were ushered out of the terminal and onto the tarmac, a spokesperson said. Peter Everett via KCTV

FBI rep Dixon Land said the bureau was “aware of the incident” and worked with “law enforcement officials to determine the credibility of a threat.”

Passenger Logan Hawley, 29, told the outlet he was getting ready to board a flight to Texas when he saw police and K-9 units swarming the terminal.

“Suddenly there was an airport worker saying ‘immediately evacuate,’ people got up fast and rushed out of there,” Hawley said.

Roughly 2,000 people were ushered out of the terminal and onto the tarmac, he said.

Photos and video from the airport circulating online show large groups of passengers being led onto the tarmac or funneling out of the terminal.

Advertisement

With Post Wires



Source link

Continue Reading

Kansas

Kansas family stranded in Iran with critical medical need makes it home through congressional intervention

Published

on

Kansas family stranded in Iran with critical medical need makes it home through congressional intervention


SHAWNEE, Kan. – A Kansas family said a call to their congresswoman’s office helped bring their daughter and son-in-law home after they were stranded overseas with an unmet critical medical need.

Janet Fulgham said her daughter Laura and Laura’s husband Adam had been traveling in the UAE when an attack on Iran disrupted their plans to return home.

With their trip delayed and Laura facing a medical need that could not be met there, Fulgham said she contacted the office of Rep. Sharice Davids.

A Kansas family said a call to their congresswoman’s office helped bring their daughter and son-in-law home after they were stranded overseas with an unmet critical medical need.(Janet Fulgham)

Fulgham said Davids’ office worked with the State Department to flag the emergency and secure a flight for the couple.

Advertisement

“The first thing that went through my mind was her medication. It is such a big part of her life. And then how do we get them out safely? How on earth do we get them out?” Fulgham said.

The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.
The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.(Janet Fulgham)

She said the experience prompted her to share a message with other families.

“Very often things are out of your control. But what I want everyone to know is, no matter what state you’re in, there are services to the American public that we may not know about,” Fulgham said.

The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.
The couple was stranded in the UAE when conflict broke out in the Middle East last weekend.(Janet Fulgham)

Davids, who represents Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District, said the situation reflects the real-world impact of international crises.

“This is one of those areas where you really see how much we’re talking about real people. You know, Laura and Adam are real Kansans who are stuck in a situation that they did not ask to be in. I’m just so relieved and glad that they’re back home,” Davids said.

Fulgham said the relief of her daughter’s return is tempered by awareness of others still waiting.

“Happiness and my delight that they’re home. Mixed with my total exhaustion. But then there’s so many other parents and friends and family members who are waiting for their loved ones. It’s hard to really celebrate when you know there’s such a big need,” Fulgham said.

Advertisement

Davids is expected to visit the family later this week. Her office said it is still working to help other Kansas families who remain stranded.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending