Parade Shooting Occurred on Year Mark of Deadly Shooting at Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Parade
PHILADELPHIA — Everytown for Gun Safety and its grassroots networks, Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, released the following statements in response to a shooting in Philadelphia near the Eagles Super Bowl Championship parade. While details are still unfolding, authorities reported that at least two people have been shot, and are reported to be in stable condition The shooting today comes on the one year mark of the deadly mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Championship parade.
“For the second year in a row, the Super Bowl parade has been marred by chaos and tragedy due to gun violence,” said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action. “This is no way to live. Americans should be able to celebrate in a crowd without the looming threat of gun violence. Our hearts are breaking for Philadelphia today, but we won’t stop fighting for the safer world we all deserve.”
“How many Super Bowl parades — or for that matter, how many school days, worship services, parades and music festivals — must be marred by gun violence before our leaders put politics aside and tackle this public health crisis head-on?” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “Everytown stands united with Philadelphia, and we stand ready to work with any lawmaker who is serious about keeping their community safe from gun violence.”
“Today should have been a moment of celebration for a city and a team that has championed gun violence prevention, but instead, it was devastated by our gun violence crisis,” said Kelly Sitarski, a volunteer with the Pennsylvania chapter of Moms Demand Action. “In the city of brotherly love and everywhere across the country, we deserve to celebrate without fearing for our lives at the same time. This is just another tragic reminder for why we fight for safer gun laws and more investment in our communities, across Philadelphia and the Commonwealth.”
Violence at parades is sadly all too familiar to communities across the country. Today is the one year mark of the mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Superbowl parade, which resulted in at least one person being shot and killed and an additional 22 victims who were shot and wounded, with at least half of the shooting victims under the age of 16. Two years ago, after the Denver Nuggets championship parade, two people were shot and wounded in downtown Denver.
The Philadelphia Eagles have a long record of supporting gun violence prevention efforts beyond the field and in the community. It includes efforts like launching their own End Philly Gun Violence initiative to connect and fund local violence intervention groups, supporting players to raise awareness and use their platforms effectively, and more.
In an average year, 1,789 people die and 4,020 are wounded by guns in Pennsylvania. Gun deaths and injuries cost Pennsylvania $21.7 billion each year, of which $470.7 million is paid by taxpayers.