K.C. tragedy latest reminder of America’s gun epidemic
Kansas City police are seen at Union Station, where a shooting broke out during the Chiefs' Super Bowl victory rally on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri. - Glenn E. Rice/Kansas City Star/TNS

By Greg Cote

MIAMI — Kansas City’s celebration of itself and its champion Chiefs was winding down at storied Union Station.

The day was idyllic, sun bright, air crisp, temperature in the 60s. Then came that popping sound, the one you might first mistake for fireworks, until the screaming starts.

Panicked moments later amid a terrified stampede, Super Bowl-winning Chiefs coach Andy Reid knelt to comfort a teenager who had been shot.

“Please breathe,” he told the boy.

It happened on Main Street. It can happen anywhere. It can happen everywhere.

Because this is America.