Last week’s joyous celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory turned into a nightmare as a mass shooting unfolded during the victory parade. Two adults have now been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the tragic incident.
Lyndell Mays Shooting
Dominic M. Miller of Kansas City, Mo., and Lyndell Mays of Rayton, Mo., both face charges of second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon, as announced by Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker. Miller reported to be 18 or 19 years old, and Mays, 23, are currently held on $1 million bond.
Lyndell Mays Charged With Second-Degree Murder
The shooting, which occurred during the parade, left 22 people injured and claimed the life of Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a mother of two and a radio DJ for local KKFI 90.1 FM. Shockingly, more than half of the victims were under the age of 16.
Authorities had previously charged two teenagers with gun-related and resisting arrest charges in connection to the shooting. The possibility of these juveniles facing trial as adults is under consideration.
The Alleged Events Leading to the Shooting
During a press conference, Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker outlined the sequence of events that led to the shooting. “From the evidence, it appears that [Mays] was in a verbal argument with another individual,” Baker stated. She clarified that Mays did not know the individual beforehand.
Baker continued, “That argument very quickly escalated to Mays drawing his firearm, a handgun. Mays pulled his handgun first. Almost immediately, others pulled their firearms. Defendant Miller was one of those individuals. While both adults are charged with murder, the evidence tells us that it was Mr. Miller’s firearm [that] struck Lisa Lopez-Galvan.”
Reckless Actions and Calls for Accountability
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves described the alleged actions of Mays and Miller as “reckless” during the press conference. Mayor Quinton Lucas emphasized that “consequences must be swift, certain, and severe.”
Baker emphasized the ongoing nature of the investigation, urging anyone injured while fleeing the shooting to come forward. “We seek to hold every shooter accountable for their actions on that day,” Baker affirmed.
Community Response and Support
Members of the Kansas City Chiefs, including Travis Kelce and Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, have expressed their grief and support for the victims. Travis Kelce referred to the mass shooting as “deeply tragic” and donated $100,000 to two girls recovering from the incident.
Patrick Mahomes and his wife Brittany visited several children in the hospital and initiated an emergency response fund, raising over $860,000 to assist victims and their families in their recovery efforts.
As the investigation unfolds, the community rallies together to heal from this devastating event. The legal proceedings against Lyndell Mays and Dominic M. Miller will undoubtedly bring more details to light, shedding light on the circumstances that led to this senseless tragedy during what should have been a moment of celebration.