Visitors come from far and wide to honor those injured, lost in parade shooting
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - for Kansas City has gone far beyond state lines in the days following a shooting that injured 22 and killed 1.
It was just days ago that many people came from far and wide to Kansas City’s Union Station celebration in the excitement of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl Victory. But now, you can see that’s changed.
Some have now traveled all this way to help in the wake of the loss of Lisa Lopez-Galvan and the 22 others hurt in that shooting on Wednesday, Feb. 14. Here to lend a hand, Cowboy Dave.
After he saw the tragic end to the Chiefs Victory Parade on Valentine’s Day, Dave Graham, also known as Cowboy Dave, drove 14 hours to Union Station where he parked his rusted truck.
“People needed a spot to focus, so my truck gives them an identity because they’re seeing it on Facebook and they see what I do with different disasters,” Graham told KCTV. “And now, it’s just a way of announcing myself in a humble way.”
The truck, this flag and the tears in his eyes reflect his purpose - to bring comfort to those recovering from disaster. It’s through his nonprofit - Hearts Hurt.
“It turned out to be something anyone can do anywhere, on any occasion,” Graham continued. “Just by putting up hearts and listening.
And from St. Louis, Sharon Williams with Moms Demand Action.
“We happened to see what was going on on the 14th,” Williams noted. “And I knew because of the organization that I’m with that I was going to make a stop here.”
What was supposed to be a birthday trip for Williams and her mother, turned into a moment of showing by laying down flowers and raising awareness.
“I’m hoping people will come to the memorial site and pick up some of the literature that I left from Moms Demand Action on trauma resources.
However, most importantly, Williams wants those in Kansas City to know they are not alone. And as the city continues to heal and reflect, those here at Union Station have something they want you to keep in mind. They say on that journey, may we all remain Kansas City Strong and United.
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