Kansas City, Missouri – A 10-year-old boy, Samuel Arellano, recently shared his terrifying experience during the shooting that occurred at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade on Wednesday afternoon. The boy was among at least 23 people who were shot, and sadly, one person lost their life during the tragic event. The victim was identified as Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a 43-year-old mother and popular local radio DJ.
In a heartbreaking account given to a local television station, Samuel and his family recounted the harrowing moments of the shooting. The young boy described the excruciating pain he felt after being shot, comparing it to the sensation of getting stabbed. “It felt like getting stabbed,” Samuel shared. “It could’ve been inches from my whole future.”
According to Samuel and his family, the chaos unfolded as they were walking with his grandfather after the parade. Suddenly, they found themselves amidst a scuffle before gunshots rang out, leaving Samuel injured. Despite the terror and confusion, the young boy instinctively remembered the active shooter training he had received at school, attempting to follow the instructions to duck down and hide. However, his efforts to seek refuge were disrupted as he was trampled by others attempting to flee the scene.
Later, the family realized that Samuel had been shot when they discovered a wound after returning home. The boy was promptly taken to Children’s Mercy hospital, along with eight other juvenile victims, for treatment. While the hospital expects all the children to fully recover from their injuries, Samuel and his family expressed the deep emotional scars they may endure in the aftermath of the traumatic experience.
Moreover, the Kansas City Police Chief revealed that more than half of the surviving victims were under the age of 16, shedding light on the devastating impact of the shooting on the younger members of the community. The suspects taken into custody after the shooting included two juveniles, underscoring the sobering reality of youth involvement in the tragic event.
The city’s mayor, Quinton Lucas, who had contemplated bringing his 3-year-old son to the parade, expressed profound sorrow over the unforeseen tragedy, emphasizing its lasting impact on the city. The community is left to grapple with the emotional and physical aftermath of the shooting, with no charges filed against the suspects as the investigation continues. As the city seeks to heal, the memory of the shooting at the celebratory event will undoubtedly linger for a long time.