Deaf witness explains experience of shooting at KC Super Bowl parade
Renca Dunn, Daily Moth Reporter: A sad incident happened yesterday at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade. The parade was to celebrate the Chiefs’ recent Super Bowl win and many people came to celebrate and participate in the parade and view the speeches. After the celebration was finished, as people were ready to go home, the shooting happened. At least one was killed and many were injured.
[Full-screen image of a CNN article with the headline, “1 person dead, more than 20 wounded in shooting following Super Bowl parade.”]
We were informed that one Deaf person was at the parade and witnessed what happened. We contacted this person for an interview.
(Begin interview)
James "JJ" Jones: Hello. My name is James “JJ” Jones. I live and grew up in Kansas City. Today was a beautiful day, wow. It was warm.
[Video clip of James at the victory parade. He said, “Wow, it’s a beautiful day here in Kansas City. It’s the 2024 parade. Credit: YouTube/JamesJJJones]
James: My experience was terrible. My eyes flashed. What if it happened to me? I was 20 yards away when they… There were two different locations. I was on 20th Street. I was on my bicycle and I went around to the front of the stage. I was a distance away. When the stage part was finished, I was ready to go back to get my bicycle. Luckily, I had my cochlear implant on. Most of the time it’s off. I used my CI to hear the music in the background. As I was walking, I heard firecrackers. I thought it was for a celebration. I wondered why because it was the first time out of five different parades that there were firecrackers. I thought something wasn’t right. I saw that people had terrified facial expressions. People started running past me. I was puzzled. I had no idea why they were scared of firecrackers. I had to ask someone to tell me what was going on. The man said, “Shooting!” I immediately panicked. But I thought, “Calm down. Trust Him. I have to trust the Lord. May he help and protect me.” I love my family and my children. So I thought twice and looked around using my eyes on where I could get my bicycle and escape using a different way. Wow. I heard another shooting over there. People were running that way. I was puzzled and concerned about how I could take my bicycle and escape. I’ve never experienced or witnessed this type of incident. As I was walking towards my bicycle, I saw someone falling down. I thought they might be drunk or injured. But I realized that it was the woman who was killed. She was with two children who had already ran away. I wasn’t at the time if it was a man or a woman. There were people circled around and waving their arms to get attention. I saw police officers coming. I knew something was wrong. Wow.
Renca: Did you see the shooter?
James: I never saw the shooter. But I saw people chasing after them. Cops were chasing too, in two different directions.
KC is always a good city. I’m shocked and embarrassed. It’s my hometown. Very sad.
(End interview)
Renca: Thank you JJ for your time. Our thoughts are with Kansas City and those who are affected by what happened.
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988 Helpline (Description)
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James JJ Jones YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JamesJJJones