16 February 2024
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – After the mass shooting in Kansas City, Wichitans who were at the parade were grateful to be home safe, but they are still praying for those who were injured and looking back at what happened in disbelief.
“All of a sudden, you just hear these pops,” said Staci Leuck, who was at the rally when the shooting happened.
“I heard the shots, but I thought they were fireworks ’cause you wouldn’t expect there to be shots at a parade,” said Noah Brinkmeyer, also from the Wichita area.
According to Leuck, everyone froze in place, and then the realization hit.
“We realized it wasn’t firecrackers, and then it was just pure terror. After that, everyone started running like crazy,” Leuck said.
“There was people on the ground and people in carriers and stuff,” Brinkmeyer said.
Brinkmeyer is 12. He was with his grandpa, trying not to get separated.
“I kinda held on to his jacket because a lot of people were pushing,” Brinkmeyer said.
“I just grabbed my mom, and I said, ‘Mom, go run,’ and we just took off and ran,” Leuck said.
Even after getting back to safety, they still have some lingering worries.
“I’m kinda worried about where I go, like, if that’ll happen. I’m kind of aware of my surroundings,” Brinkmeyer said.