On February 14, tragedy struck the city of Kansas City as a shooting occurred during the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade. Two men, Lyndell Mays and Dominic Miller, have been charged with second-degree murder and several weapons counts in connection with the incident. According to court documents released on Tuesday, Mays and Miller were strangers who got into an argument and began firing guns within seconds.
The argument started when two groups of people became agitated over the belief that they were being stared at by the other group. Surveillance video showed Mays and someone with him approaching the other group aggressively. Despite being surrounded by a crowd, including children, Mays was the first to start shooting. He later told detectives that he hesitated because he knew there were kids present, but began firing after someone in the other group threatened him. He claimed to have randomly chosen a person from the other group to shoot at as they were running away.
Miller initially told investigators that he and his friends started running when they heard gunshots and that he was shot in the back. However, video evidence showed Miller chasing someone from Mays’ group and firing four to five shots. Tragically, one of Miller’s bullets struck Lisa Lopez-Galvan, who was watching the Chiefs rally nearby. Lopez-Galvan, a mother of two and the host of a local radio program called “Taste of Tejano,” was killed in the shooting.
Both men have been hospitalized since the incident due to injuries sustained during the melee. Online court records did not list attorneys for either of them, and it is unclear whether they have legal representation yet. Authorities also detained two juveniles last week on gun-related and resisting arrest charges, and they have not ruled out the possibility of more charges in connection with the shooting.
Jackson County prosecutor Jean Peters Baker emphasized that they are committed to holding every shooter accountable for their actions on that day. The shooting took place despite the presence of 800 police officers patrolling the celebration, which drew an estimated 1 million people to the city. The injured individuals range in age from 8 to 47, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the gunfire.
This shooting is not an isolated incident in Kansas City, which has struggled with gun violence. In 2020, the city was chosen by the U.S. Justice Department as one of nine cities to crack down on violent crime. It also matched its record with 182 homicides that year, most of which involved guns. In response to the shooting, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas questioned whether it is time to reconsider how championship celebrations are conducted. However, he assured the public that the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day parade will proceed as scheduled.
The incident has sparked a debate about gun regulations in the state of Missouri. The shooting occurred in a state with few gun regulations, and the Missouri House recently passed a ban on celebratory gunfire in cities. The bill will now be considered by the Missouri Senate. Last year, Republican Governor Mike Parson vetoed a similar measure, citing issues with other provisions.
The tragic shooting during the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade serves as a somber reminder of the violence that can mar even the happiest of occasions. It is a call to action for communities to address gun violence and prioritize the safety of their residents. As the investigation continues and legal proceedings unfold, the city of Kansas City mourns the loss of Lisa Lopez-Galvan and stands united in seeking justice for all those affected by this senseless act of violence.
