In the aftermath of the mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl celebration, it has been confirmed by the Kansas City, Mo. police chief that two teenagers have been detained in connection with the incident. However, a third person who was initially detained has been released after it was determined that they were not involved. The tragic violence resulted in the death of a woman and injuries to nearly twenty others, which has sparked widespread outrage and initiated a broader discussion about the necessary measures to prevent such incidents.
In Wichita, David Gilkey, a youth advocate and co-founder of Rise Up for Youth, expressed his deep sadness over the shooting and emphasized that it is indicative of an ongoing issue. He highlighted that teen violence and the possession of firearms among young people are pervasive problems that demand immediate attention. Gilkey stressed the urgency of addressing this issue, as it is leading to the loss of many young lives and the making of detrimental choices.
According to Gilkey, effecting change requires collective effort and engagement from everyone involved.
“It’s a significant undertaking… The entire city and community need to unite,” stated Gilkey. “We must avoid pointing fingers or placing blame; instead, we have to start working together.”
Wichita City Councilmember Brandon Johnson has been actively advocating for preventing youth violence in the region. He believes that effective prevention begins with open communication.
“In the past, when kids got into fights, we would dismiss it as typical behavior. Now, these fights escalate into shootings and even homicides,” Johnson explained. “We need to remove weapons from the equation. This allows adults and caretakers to engage in conversations with young people about finding solutions to temporary problems without resorting to permanent and violent actions.”
Johnson expressed the need for immediate and drastic measures to be implemented before it becomes too late.
“Honestly, if the members of the Kansas legislature had listened to law enforcement years ago, they would have known that allowing constitutional carry could have serious consequences,” he remarked. “Many in law enforcement warned against it, as it would hinder their ability to keep firearms away from those who shouldn’t have them. Now, we are witnessing the repercussions of those legislative actions.”
