Two men have been arraigned on charges of murder in connection with the fatal shooting that occurred during the Super Bowl victory parade in Kansas City last week.
The shooting resulted in the death of a woman and left 22 others injured, with police attributing the violence to an altercation between the two accused individuals.
The men, identified as Dominic Miller and Lyndell Mays, sustained gunshot wounds during the incident. Last week, two teenagers were also charged with resisting arrest and gun violations in relation to the same incident.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker of Jackson County announced that Miller and Mays are facing charges including second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon.
Peters Baker alleged that Mays instigated the argument at the event and brandished a handgun, prompting others to draw firearms as well. The officials said that Miller, one of the accused, fatally shot 43-year-old Lisa Lopez Galvan during the altercation.
The accused men are currently in custody on a bond of $1 million each, having been initially hospitalized for treatment of their injuries sustained during the shooting.
In response to the arrests, the family of Ms. Lopez Galvan expressed gratitude, stating, “Though it does not bring back our beloved Lisa, it is comforting to know that the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office and the KCPD made it a top priority to seek justice Lisa, the other shooting victims, those who had to witness this tragedy unfold and the Kansas City community.”
Addressing confusion surrounding the charges, Peters Baker clarified that the accused individuals are adults, distinct from the two teenagers previously charged.
Court documents reveal that the altercation began with a verbal exchange between Mays and a group of individuals, leading to Mays aggressively approaching them and drawing his weapon.
Despite initially claiming he was attempting to flee, Miller admitted to firing his weapon multiple times, with one of the shots striking Ms. Lopez Galvan.
As the investigation into the shooting continues, Peters Baker emphasized the pursuit of accountability for all involved in the violence. “We seek to hold every shooter accountable for their actions on that day – every single one,” she affirmed, hinting at the possibility of further charges in the future.
The victims of the shooting, ranging in age from eight to 47, endured injuries during the chaotic event. The incident serves as a grim reminder of similar shootings at sports celebrations across the United States in recent years, highlighting the ongoing challenges of public safety and gun violence in American communities.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi