Kansas
Kansas City shooting: Two juveniles charged invconnection to Super Bowl parade attack
Witness describes moment he tackled man at Kansas City Chiefs rally
Two juveniles have been charged in connection to Wednesday’s shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory parade.
“The juveniles are currently detained in secure detention at the Juvenile Detention Center on gun related and resisting arrest charges,” the Jackson County Family Court Division said in a statement. “It is anticipated that additional charges are expected in the future as the investigation by the Kansas City Police Department continues.”
Officials have yet to release the suspects’ names.
Of the 22 people who suffered gunshot injuries during the shooting, more than half of the victims are under the age of 16, police said.
The victims ranged in age from eight to 47 years old.
The deceased has been identified as local DJ and mother-of-two, Elizabeth Lopez-Galvan.
A GoFundMe started by the family of Ms Lopez-Galvan raised more than $190,000 with Taylor Swift donating most of the proceeds.
On the official GoFundMe page, the top donator remains to be Ms Swift, who attended the Super Bowl to cheer on her boyfriend and Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce. Ms Swift donated $50,000 twice to the family’s fundraiser and sent her “deepest sympathies and condolences.”
Wednesday’s shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade was the 47th mass shooting in the US of 2024, according to the tracker Gun Violence Archive, which defines a mass shooting as when four or more people are shot, not including the shooter.
On Wednesday, 22 people were shot and one person — a mother of two and beloved radio DJ — was killed. Half the gunshot victims were under the age of 16. Police have charged two juveniles in connection with the shooting, officials said Friday afternoon. Katie Hawkinson17 February 2024 09:00
The Independent’s Sheila Flynn spoke to a 10-year-old boy who was shot at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade. Read more about her conversation with Samuel Arellano:
Katie Hawkinson17 February 2024 07:00
At least 23 people were shot, including multiple children, in a mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory parade near Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, on Wednesday.
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said at a press conference on Thursday that half of the victims shot in the attack are children while one victim – a 43-year-old mother-of-two – died.
Prosecutors with the Jackson County, Missouri Family Court Division charged two juveniles in connection to the shooting, officials said in a statement on Friday morning. That news comes after officials detainedthree individuals in connection to the shooting. One of the three was released Thursday without charge. Read more about those wounded in Wednesday’s shooting:
Katie Hawkinson17 February 2024 05:01
Wednesday’s shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade was the 47th mass shooting in the US of 2024, according to the tracker Gun Violence Archive, which defines a mass shooting as when four or more people are shot, not including the shooter. On Wednesday, 22 people were shot and one person — a mother of two and beloved radio DJ — was killed. Half the gunshot victims were under the age of 16. Police have charged two juveniles in connection with the shooting, officials said Friday afternoon.
Katie Hawkinson17 February 2024 04:00
The lifelong Chiefs fan initially thought it was firecrackers going off, before a sense of panic swept through the crowd. “There was a huge commotion. It felt like there was a rat loose or something,” he told The Independent in a phone interview on Thursday morning.
Read more from Bevan Hurley:
Katie Hawkinson17 February 2024 03:00
Kansas City shooting gunshots heard in BBC News live broadcast
Katie Hawkinson17 February 2024 02:00
13-year-old Chiefs fan Cash Adams told local outlet KMBC about the moment he was shot at Wednesday’s celebration. “I was about the second row back from the front in the rally,” Cash said. “Went left, and I got hit. I heard, ‘pop, pop, pop,’ and then I knew I’d been hit, so I just ran.”
Thankfully, Cash’s injuries were minor — and he was able to go back to school the next day, he told the outlet.
Katie Hawkinson17 February 2024 01:00
Missouri’s gun laws are considered some of the laxest in the country, with the Giffords Law Center calling them “appallingly weak.”
No background check is required to purchase a firearm, nor is a permit for concealed carry. There is no ban on assault weapons.
There are also no restrictions on gun ownership for people who have been convicted of violent crimes, and firearms are not required to be locked up to prevent children from accessing them.
In 2021, Missouri enacted a law called the “Second Amendment Preservation Act,” which made federal gun regulations illegal statewide, and prohibited law enforcement from enforcing any federal laws that “infringe on the people’s right to keep and bear arms.”
A federal judge later struck it down, having ruled the state law unconstitutional, and the Supreme Court upheld the decision. Katie Hawkinson17 February 2024 00:00
Jacob Gooch said he heard a woman say, presumably to the shooter, “don’t do it.”
“I personally did not see the shooter,” Mr Gooch said. “I heard the altercation of a girl or some girls like ‘don’t do it, not here this is stupid’ or something like that. And then the gunshots, which at the time I thought were fireworks.” Mr Gooch was shot in the ankle, his wife was shot in the calf, and his son was shot in the foot, he said.
The survivor also told CBS Mornings that he saw a group of suspicious people before gunshots rang out, though he was not sure if they were actually connected to the attack.
“I mean, I got suspicious of a certain group of people that were there,” Mr Gooch said. “We were standing on the left side of the stage when the shooting ended up happening. And right before it ended up happening, there was this group dressed in all black. About four, five, six kids with black on, black masks.”
“They disappeared into the crowd and then the show ended and as soon as we started walking around, it happened,” he continued.
Katie Hawkinson16 February 2024 23:00
People gather at a candlelight vigil in Kansas City, Missouri
(Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
A woman holds a lit candle at a vigil in Kansas City, Missouri (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Two women hug and hold a candle at a vigil in Kansas City, Missouri
(Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Katie Hawkinson16 February 2024 22:40
Kansas City tragedy marked 47th mass shooting in 2024
ICYMI: 10-year-old who was shot describes Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting
Who are the victims of the Kansas City shooting?
Kansas City tragedy marked 47th mass shooting in 2024
Watch: Moment Kansas City shooting erupts on live news broadcast
13-year-old recounts moment he was shot at parade
ICYMI: What are Missouri’s gun laws?
ICYMI: Kansas City shooting survivor reveals moment woman apparently begged shooter ‘don’t do it’
ICYMI: See photographs from a Thursday evening candlelight vigil in Kansas City for the victims of Wednesday’s shooting
Kansas
Tyler Reddick needs OT at Kansas to claim fifth win of NASCAR season
It’s still more than a week until May, but Tyler Reddick already has racked up a fistful of wins.
The 23XI Racing hotshoe passed Kyle Larson in overtime to win the NASCAR Cup Series’ AdventHealth 400 on Sunday afternoon in Kansas City, Kansas, for his fifth victory in nine races.
After Cody Ware spun while leader Denny Hamlin and second-place Reddick were coming to the white flag for the race’s only caution for cause, the field pitted to set up a green-white-checker finish in overtime at Kansas Speedway.
From third, Larson charged past Hamlin on the restart to claim the lead. But second-place Reddick used his No. 45 Toyota to fly by Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet in Turn 1 after the white flag.
He held on to beat the Hendrick Motorsports driver by 0.118 seconds for his 13th career win and become the first driver since Dale Earnhardt in 1987 to claim five of a season’s first nine races.
Reddick also won for the fourth time in a row when being the polesitter — a run that began Feb. 22 in Atlanta and included victories at Circuit of The Americas and Darlington.
Reddick appeared doomed with a few laps left when he screamed over the radio that he was out of gas, which allowed Hamlin to make what appeared to be the winning pass for the lead.
However, Ware’s spin sent the cars to pit road one last time.
“Just really blessed with the late caution,” said Reddick, who led only 10 laps and spun a Toyota stablemate in overtime’s frantic finish. “Not thrilled that I got Christopher Bell. … These late-race restarts get really crazy. Obviously, I had a run on the 5, and I was just shocked to get to his inside.”
Larson’s car would not turn in the corners.
“It all worked out great, but I was plowing in (Turns) 3 and 4,” said Larson, the race’s defending winner who became the track’s all-time lap leader — he paced 78 of them — but had his winless streak stretch to 33 races. “Reddick was really good there (at the end).”
Chase Briscoe, Hamlin and Bubba Wallace completed the first five finishers.
A Toyota won for the sixth time in the past 11 races at the Midwest speedway.
Polesitter Reddick, Hamlin and Briscoe showed Toyota supremacy early with the first two drivers swapping the lead. Then Hamlin stormed away to a 1.25-second lead 15 circuits into the 267-lap race.
Hamlin lapped up to the 21st-place car — Todd Gilliland — as drivers such as Joey Logano, Kyle Busch and Ross Chastain all were put a lap down. Larson was able to pass Reddick, but Hamlin claimed the 80-lap Stage 1 over Larson followed by Reddick, Ty Gibbs and Christopher Bell.
In the second segment, Larson began to assert himself. He immediately snatched the point from Hamlin and led until Lap 125 when he, Hamlin, Chase Elliott and Reddick pitted to split Stage 2’s 85 laps.
The completion of the second stage also was rather tame. Larson claimed the segment followed by Hamlin, Reddick, Elliot and Bell as the only problems were drivers having minor setbacks with tires.
The only cautions through the first two stages were for stage-breaks, not incidents.
On Lap 175 shortly after the restart for the run to the race’s end, Bell maneuvered by Hamlin for the lead. Wallace and Reddick rounded out a four-car Camry train with six of the top nine being Toyotas.
Running third to leader Bell and Reddick, Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Briscoe began the cycle of pits with 52 laps remaining to set up the finish while Reddick and Bell waited five more circuits for service.
Kansas
Kansas Governor signs Caleb’s Law, targeting online sextortion of minors
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has signed Caleb’s Law, strengthening penalties for online sexual extortion targeting children.
Governor Kelly says the law is named after Caleb Moore, a 14-year-old from El Dorado, who died by suicide after becoming a victim of an online sextortion scheme.
What the Law Does
Caleb’s Law expands Kansas’s existing sexual extortion statute in three key ways:
- Broadens the definition of sexual extortion to include threats involving explicit images – including AI-generated or digitally altered images
- Increase criminal penalties when an adult offender targets a minor or a dependent adult
- Creates two felony offenses: aggravated sexual extortion causing great bodily harm and aggravated sexual extortion causing death
Under the new law, sexual extortion involving a minor or dependent adult is elevated from a severity level 7 to a severity level 6 person felony for coercive intent cases.
The legislation also elevates a level 4 to a level 3 person felony when the victim is caused to produce or distribute sexual content.
Statewide Education Requirements
House Bill 2537 also directs the Kansas Attorney General to lead a statewide public education effort on sextortion. The AG’s office will:
- Prepare and distribute educational materials for schools, students, parents and the public
- Collaborate with the Kansas State Board of Education and law enforcement agencies
- File an annual report beginning July 1, 2027, to the Governor, legislative leadership and the State Board of Education on implementation progress
The Attorney General’s Office estimates the education effort will require two new positions at a cost of around $213,900 from the State General Fund, rising to an estimated $20,300 in 2028.
In Their Own Words
Gov. Kelly said the law reflects the state’s commitment to keeping pace with digital threats facing children.
“Protecting Kansas children means staying ahead of the evolving threats they face, especially in an increasingly digital world where exploitation can happen in an instant,” she said. “By prioritizing education and awareness, Caleb’s Law ensures that young people, families, and educators have the tools to recognize sexual extortion and seek help before it’s too late. By signing this bill, we’re honoring Caleb’s life by shining a light on this growing danger and taking meaningful action to prevent future tragedies.”
Rep. Bob Lewis (R-Garden City), who introduced the bill, added that it earned unanimous bipartisan support in both chambers.
“Our kids are our future and protecting them from online predators, who are increasingly dangerous and sophisticated, must be a top legislative priority,” he stated. “I’m therefore pleased that the governor is signing Caleb’s Law, which I introduced and received unanimous, bipartisan support in both legislative chambers. What happened to Caleb is tragic and must be stopped.”
Rep. Dan Osman (D-Overland Park) credited Caleb Moore’s family for pushing the legislation forward.
“Sexual extortion in any form should never be tolerated, but children under the age of 18 are particularly vulnerable,” he added.
The Kansas Attorney General’s Office also voiced strong support, noting the law addresses one of the state’s most urgent child safety threats.
“HB 2537 is a critical measure to protect Kansans from sexual exploitation and ensure public awareness and education on this growing threat,” said Sarah Hortenstine, Division Chief of Youth Services, Kansas Office of the Attorney General.
Legislative Timeline
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Jan. 23 | Bill introduced, referred to House Committee on Judiciary |
| Feb. 5 | House committee hearing held |
| Feb. 16 | Committee recommends passage |
| Feb. 18 | House passes bill unanimously |
| Feb. 25 | Referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary |
| March 17 | Senate committee hearing held |
| March 18 | Senate committee recommends passage |
| March 19 | Senate passes bill unanimously |
The bill received unanimous, bipartisan support in both chambers – with no recorded opposition.
Background: What Is Sextortion?
Officials noted that sextortion is a form of online exploitation in which offenders coerce victims – often minors – into producing sexual images.
Those bad actors then use the images to demand more content, money, or sexual acts, according to investigators.
State leaders said cases can escalate rapidly, and the resulting trauma has led to severe psychological harm and, in some cases, suicide.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.
For mental health support, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Kansas Losing Momentum With Key Transfer Target After New Visits
Since losing Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller in the transfer portal, Bill Self has been tasked with rebuilding his frontcourt from the 2025-26 campaign. While he has landed former Utah forward Keanu Dawes to succeed Tiller at the four, the Jayhawks’ roster still lacks a true center to replace Louisville commit Bidunga.
One player KU had hoped to add was Cincinnati transfer Moustapha Thiam, who tormented the Jayhawks when the two schools met this past February. However, the chances of him committing to play in Lawrence appear to be dwindling by the day.
The Senegal native recently wrapped up a trip to St. John’s and is set to visit Ann Arbor on Monday to meet with the defending champions, Michigan.
Source: Cincinnati transfer Moustapha Thiam will visit Michigan on Monday.
Recently visited St. John’s.
Averaged 12.8 PPG and 7.1 RPG last season.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 19, 2026
Kansas was initially supposed to be one of the top schools involved in Thiam’s recruitment, but that hasn’t necessarily been the case. The Jayhawks have been relatively quiet so far and haven’t gained much traction toward securing an official visit.
Not only is Michigan a recruiting powerhouse coming off a national title win under second-year head coach Dusty May, but it also boasts one of the largest NIL collectives in the NCAA. If the Wolverines are seriously pursuing Thiam, it likely means he will come at a hefty price tag.
KU is expected to increase the NIL budget this year to handle its roster deficiencies from the past few seasons. Regardless, the program must be strategic with its spending, especially with the decision of 2026 prospect Tyran Stokes still looming.
Who Are Kansas’ Alternatives to Moustapha Thiam?
If the Jayhawks are unable to land Thiam, there are a few alternatives on the open market. Those options may not carry the same hype as the 7-foot-2 phenom, who is ranked as the No. 3 center in 247 Sports’ transfer rankings, but they could still provide solid production nonetheless.
One name to watch is Anton Bonke, another towering big man who has spent time at Providence and most recently Charlotte. He visited KU’s campus earlier this week alongside Dawes and remains a viable option.
Another possible solution could come from within if Paul Mbiya decides to withdraw from the transfer portal and return to Kansas. The incoming sophomore flashed his potential during the postseason and is reportedly open to rejoining the program.
Finally, FC Barcelona center Sayon Keita is an international prospect who could make his college decision within the next month or two. He took an official visit to Kansas last July.
Whoever ultimately replaces Bidunga, Self will need to act quickly before the remaining top targets come off the board. Bringing back Mbiya and adding a transfer would be a strong start.
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