Paradegoer Recalls Tackling Alleged Shooter at Chiefs Super Bowl Celebration

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - FEBRUARY 14: Law enforcement respond to a shooting at Union Station during the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl LVIII victory parade on February 14, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. Several people were shot and two people were detained after a rally celebrating the Chiefs Super Bowl victory. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

A man who helped tackle a suspected shooter at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVIII victory parade and rally on Feb. 14 is speaking out about what was going through his mind as the shooting unfolded.

Trey Filter told Entertainment Tonight that he attended the celebration in Kansas City, Missouri, with his wife, Casey, and their two sons. Trey described feeling “safe” while there because of the strong law enforcement presence, which Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said included upwards of 800 officers due to the anticipated size of the event. An estimated 1 million people are believed to have attended to help the Chiefs celebrate their back-to-back Super Bowl victories.

The Filters were starting to leave as the event wrapped up when they heard gunfire erupt west of Kansas City’s Union Station. Trey told ET that he heard someone else yell, “Get ‘em,” and saw a suspected shooter fleeing in his direction.

“I just turned around and tackled him,” Trey said.

Paul Contreras has come forward as another paradegoer who helped Trey tackle the alleged shooter. Contreras told the Nebraska-based television news station KETV that he “didn’t hesitate” to step in and that he and Trey were “fighting to keep him down.”

Trey told ET that the suspect had an assault rifle, which was “knocked out of his possession” as the two men tackled him to the ground. Casey spotted the weapon and “pulled it away” as they waited for police to take over and apprehend the alleged shooter.

One person has died and at least 22 others were injured in the Wednesday shooting, according to the latest information from Kansas City police. Officials identified Elizabeth Galvan, 43, as the woman who died. The other victims’ ages range between 8 and 47, with at least half under 16.

Shortly after the shooting occurred, the Kansas City Chiefs released a statement confirming that all of the team’s players, coaches, staff and family members were “safe and accounted for.” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes also spoke out quickly after the shooting, writing on X that he was “Praying for Kansas City.”

A few hours later, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce issued a statement of his own to say that he was “heartbroken over the tragedy that took place today.”

“My heart is with all who came out to celebrate with us and have been affected,” Kelce tweeted. “KC, you mean the world to me.” The NFL player later faced criticism for continuing to celebrate his team’s Super Bowl victory in the hours after the shooting.

Police initially reported that they had detained two armed suspects in connection with the shooting but revised that number to three by Wednesday evening. As of Thursday, Feb. 15, police said they had detained two juvenile suspects but were still seeking information from witnesses to determine whether any others might be involved.

Kansas City officials described the shooting investigation on Thursday as “very active,” though Graves said the preliminary information officers have obtained suggests the incident had “no nexus to terrorism or homegrown violent extremism.”

“This appeared to be a dispute between several people that ended in gunfire,” she said during a Feb. 15 press conference.

Graves also offered words of thanks for the civilians who “acted bravely” in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.

“Your selfless act did not go unnoticed,” she said.

Next: Travis Kelce Faces Backlash for Continuing to Party After Tragic Super Bowl Parade Shooting