Authorities have pressed murder charges against two individuals in connection with the deadly shooting incident that marred last week’s Super Bowl victory parade in Kansas City.
The shooting resulted in the death of a woman, and 22 others sustained injuries, according to police, who stated that the altercation between the two men escalated into the violence.
The accused individuals, identified as Dominic Miller and Lyndell Mays, were both injured by gunfire during the incident.
Last week, two adolescents faced charges for defying arrest and firearm offenses. According to Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker of Jackson County, the duo has been accused of second-degree murder, alongside two instances of armed criminal activity and improper weapon use, as announced during a Tuesday press briefing.
Allegedly, it was Mr. Mays who engaged in a dispute at the gathering, brandishing a handgun, claimed Ms. Peters Baker. Subsequently, other attendees also drew firearms during the altercation, officials stated. Among them was Mr. Miller, whom prosecutors suspect to be the individual responsible for the fatal shooting of Lisa Lopez Galvan, 43, during the event.
Currently detained under a $1 million (£792,000) bond, both individuals were first taken to a hospital to receive medical attention following the shooting incident. They are still hospitalized, undergoing recovery.
In a statement, the family of Ms. Lopez Galvan expressed gratitude for the apprehension of the two suspects.
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“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 for Lisa, the other shooting victims, those who had to witness this tragedy unfold and the Kansas City community,” the statement said.
Their charges are in addition to the two teenagers who were charged last week.
“These are adults,” Ms Peters Baker said, clarifying confusion about the new charges. “There are two juveniles that has been reported already pretty broadly by the news media. Those are being handled by a different office at this point in time.”
Court documents released on Tuesday allege that the incident stemmed from a verbal altercation between Mr Mays and four people who asked “what he was looking at”.
Video footage capturing the shooting incident depicts Mr. Mays advancing towards the opposing group with evident hostility, gesturing towards them in a visibly agitated manner, prior to retrieving his firearm.
Subsequently, during his interaction with law enforcement, he confessed to hesitating in firing his weapon due to the presence of children nearby. However, his decision to open fire was prompted by a perceived threat from a member of the opposing group, who allegedly threatened him.
Initially, Mr. Miller asserted to law enforcement that he was attempting to escape when he was hit by gunfire, but altered his statement upon being confronted with video evidence. He subsequently confessed to discharging his firearm four or five times, with one of the bullets striking Ms. Lopez Galvan.
The investigation into the shooting remains active, with Ms. Peters Baker hinting at the possibility of further charges being brought forth.