One Year Later: Survivors’ Struggle and Resilience After Super Bowl Parade Shooting
Emily Tavis found herself unexpectedly facing the corner of Kansas City, Missouri, where a bullet pierced her leg during last year’s Super Bowl parade while on a first date in December. The memory of the traumatic event left her reeling, tearing up at the sight of Union Station where the shooting had taken place. This emotional reaction, a mix of panic and sorrow, is a common experience for survivors like Tavis, one that lingers long after the physical wounds have healed.
A year has passed since the tragic shooting on February 14th that claimed a life and left at least 24 others injured, but the survivors and their families are still grappling with the aftermath. The emotional toll of the incident has strained relationships, raised concerns about children’s well-being, and left many survivors feeling abandoned by the very team they once cheered for: the Kansas City Chiefs.
Jacob Gooch Sr., who was shot in the foot during the parade, expressed disappointment in the lack of support from the Chiefs organization. While the team, along with the family’s foundation and the NFL, donated $200,000 to a survivors’ fund, Gooch felt that the personal outreach was lacking, leaving him and his family feeling overlooked and neglected.
The road to recovery for these families is often a long and arduous one. The traumatic memories of the shooting can resurface unexpectedly, triggered by sights, sounds, or smells that transport survivors back to the moment of terror. Gary Behrman, a therapist who has worked extensively with trauma survivors, explains that this emotional “freezing” is a coping mechanism that can give way to a sudden flood of intense feelings, as experienced by Tavis during her chance encounter with Union Station.
Survivors like Gooch Sr. have faced not only physical injuries but also a significant disruption to their lives and livelihoods. His inability to return to work due to a foot injury sustained during the parade has left him grappling with financial strain and uncertainty about his future. The loss of identity and purpose that often accompanies traumatic experiences can be just as debilitating as the physical wounds, forcing survivors to rebuild their lives from the ground up.
For Tavis, the journey towards healing has been a slow and challenging process. Returning to Union Station, the site of the shooting, was a milestone she had been preparing for, symbolizing her readiness to confront the trauma head-on. With the support of her therapist and her faith community, Tavis has taken small steps towards reprocessing her memories and reclaiming her sense of safety and agency.
The impact of the shooting extends beyond the physical injuries sustained that day, affecting survivors and their families on a deeply emotional and psychological level. Bridget Barton, who discovered a bullet fragment in her backpack after the shooting, grapples with feelings of guilt and fear that continue to haunt her daily life. Her daughter, Gabriella, navigates the emotional fallout of the anniversary, struggling to find solace and stability amidst the lingering trauma.
Despite the challenges they face, survivors like Sarai Holguín find strength and resilience in the bonds they share with one another. Gathered together at a restaurant in Kansas City, survivors from different walks of life and backgrounds found common ground in their shared experience of trauma and healing. Holguín’s message of resilience and hope resonated with those present, underscoring the human capacity for resilience and community in the face of adversity.
As survivors continue on their journey of healing and recovery, the road ahead remains uncertain and fraught with challenges. Each step forward is a testament to their courage and resilience, a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is light and hope to guide them through. The scars of the past may never fully fade, but with time, support, and understanding, survivors can find the strength to rebuild their lives and reclaim their sense of peace and wholeness.
