Wichitans help tackle shooting suspect and secure weapon at Chiefs celebration
16 February 2024
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) — One person died in Wednesday’s shooting at the rally following the Kansas City Chiefs victory parade.
On Thursday, doctors across multiple hospitals said they do not expect that number to grow.
They’re crediting the quick work of first responders and their close proximity to the site of the shooting.
Children’s Mercy Kansas City received 12 patients, nine of whom were children who had been shot.
On Thursday, just three of those children continued to receive in-patient care.
“I can just tell you that the three that are remaining, we expect a full recovery. I can’t give any more detail than that out of respect for their families. But they are stabilized. They’re doing well. And I think prayers and hope for them are exactly what they need,” Stephanie Meyer, Chief Nursing Officer at Children’s Mercy Kansas City, said.
Children’s Mercy Hospital’s youngest patient Wednesday was just 6-years-old.
Staff said the success of their treatment hinged on the speed and quality of the on-site triage.
“I want to thank each and every one of them from the bottom of my heart for doing what we do best and bringing our A-game,” Meyer said.
University Health is still treating three patients. Two are in critical condition.
One young adult who is still in the ICU had a less than 10% chance of survival based on his injuries.
Dr. Dustin Neel, a trauma surgeon, said that person was the first patient transported to a hospital and first in the operating room.
“He has improved overnight despite his life-threatening injuries with plans for future operations,” Neel said. “Had he had not made it here as fast as he had, he might not be with us now.”
A woman is also in the ICU at University Health. She also went to the operating room with a gunshot wound. Doctors expressed hope that she will be upgraded from critical to stable condition within the next day or so.
Another patient still at University Health is in stable condition, also with a gunshot wound.