Paul Contreras, Man Who Tackled Suspected Kansas City Shooter, Speaks Out

Paul Contreras, the man revealed to have tackled a suspected shooter in Kansas City during the Super Bowl parade attack, has said his heroic actions were "just a reaction."

The 46-year-old Chiefs fan, from Nebraska, subdued the alleged gunman after at least one person was killed and 21 others injured in the shooting near Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, on Wednesday.

The Context

Shots were fired close to Union Station, where thousands of fans had come together to celebrate the Chiefs' victory over the San Francisco 49ers. At least eight children were among those harmed, while eight of the shooting victims were treated for life-threatening injuries and a further seven injured with potentially life-threatening wounds, officials said.

What We Know

"I didn't think about it," Contreras said to KETV 7 Omaha, after footage showed him tackling an alleged shooter in Kansas to the ground. "I went to go tackle him and another gentleman did the same thing and as I am tackling him I see his weapon either fall out of his hand or out of his sleeve."

Police have arrested three suspects and do not believe the incident to be terror related.

Radio DJ Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a mom of two, was confirmed as the deceased victim.

Her employer, radio station KKFI, said in a statement the shooting was a "senseless act."

"It is with sincere sadness and an extremely heavy and broken heart that we let our community know that KKFI DJ Lisa Lopez, host of 'Taste of Tejano', lost her life today in the shooting at the KC Chiefs' rally," KKFI said.

Views

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said he was "heartbroken" at the incident and said he and his wife and mother had to flee for safety.

"I was there with my wife and my mother," the mayor said at a news conference. "I never would have thought thousands of people would be forced to run for their safety today... We went out today looking for a celebration and that was marred. We are praying for the safety of everyone."

The Chiefs, in a statement released on their X account, said: "We are truly saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred outside of Union Station at the conclusion of today's parade and rally. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and all of Kansas City."

The Chiefs confirmed none of their players were injured during the shooting.

The NFL said it was "deeply saddened" by the shooting.

President Joe Biden released a statement calling for tighter gun control in the wake of the Kansas shooting.

"For this joy to be turned to tragedy today in Kansas City cuts deep in the American soul," Biden said, calling for background checks and a ban on assault weapons.

During his speech in North Charleston on Wednesday after the shooting, Donald Trump told a crowd of his supporters that he vows to "fully uphold our great Second Amendment" if he is elected president.

What's Next?

Police are continuing to investigate the Kansas shooting. At the time of writing, no person is believed to have been charged and no suspects named.

Newsweek has approached the Kansas City Missouri Police Department for confirmation of this.

As yet, there has been no motive for the shooting established. Police have appealed to the public for witnesses or people with information to come forward.

"There's a lot of work ahead as this is just the beginning stages, but we're moving as fast as we can," a Justice Department spokesperson told CNN, adding that the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had responded to the shooting.

Update 2/15/24, 6:15 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information and to reflect President Biden's statement