Hospital officials say most victims released, healing process underway

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The nine children shot at the Chiefs Super Bowl Victory rally are expected to make a full recovery, according to Children’s Mercy.

Stephanie Meyer, Chief Nursing Officer, said the ages of the children range from six to fifteen.

“Out of all the children we treated, we only have three left in the hospital, and they are expected to make a full recovery,” Meyer said.

The victims with the most severe injuries were rushed to University Health. As of Thursday, of the eight gunshot victims, five have been sent home.

“Three individuals remain in the hospital, one is in stable condition, the other two were emitted and remain in critical condition in our ICU, but they both are improving,” said Dr. Mark Steele, Executive Chief Clinical Officer.

The health officials thanked the quick work done by the first responders on the ground.

“The first patient sustained an injury that is 90 plus times lethal,” said Dr. Dustin Neel, Medical Director of Trauma Program. “Those that were critically ill were able to get to us in a timely, efficient manner so that we could provide care to them. The coordination between all of the department’s city-wide and hospitals allowed for our disaster response to be as robust as it possibly could be.”

Meyer agrees, saying, “I want to make sure that the teams that were on site understand that the way those kids came to us, triage beautifully, packaged, allowed us to treat every single one of them in a manner that nobody else can do.”

Meyer said while they are thankful the victims they treated will be physically okay, they’re now focused on the emotional and mental toll left behind.

“They are fearful, they’re scared, and what they need from us in the community is support and reassurance that the first step we can give them is back to physical health, and the next step we offer is back to mental health and how we work to make that child and their family whole again,” Meyer said.