Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker on Tuesday announced that two adults each have been charged with felony murder in the mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory rally last week.
Lyndell Mays of Raytown and Dominic M. Miller of Kansas City each face a count of second-degree felony murder, Baker announced in an afternoon news conference at the Jackson County Courthouse in downtown Kansas City.
Mays and Miller each have also been charged with two counts of armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. They each are being held on $1 million bond.
The charges are the latest in the investigation into the mass shooting investigation, that killed one woman and injured at least 39 others, including 23 with gunshot wounds. Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a mother and popular disc jockey, was identified as the woman killed in the shooting.
Prior to the shooting, Mays was in a verbal argument with another person that he had no prior history or connection with. That argument quickly escalated and Mays drew a handgun, Baker said.
“Mays pulled his handgun first,” Baker said, referencing the evidence that has been gathered by investigators so far.
Almost immediately, others, including Miller, pulled their firearms.
While both men were charged with murder, evidence shows that it was gunfire from Miller’s firearm that struck and killed 43-year-old Lopez-Galvin, Baker said.
“We seek to hold every shooter accountable for their actions on that day — every single one,” Baker said. “While we are not there yet on every single individual, we’re going to get there.”
Baker also read a statement from Lopez-Galvan’s family that said: “On behalf of the Lopez-Galvan family, we are grateful to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office led by Jean Peters Baker and her amazing team of highly experienced and dedicated prosecutors.
“We also want to thank the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department and all other law enforcement departments involved in this investigation. The effort and dedicated hours spent to expeditiously investigate this senseless act of violence is extremely commendable. It is reassuring for our family and the entire community to know that this joint team effort has resulted in the identification of the suspects involved.
“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.”
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said Tuesday the police department continues to investigate the case “at full velocity.”
“Teams of detectives are working nonstop to ensure that anyone else responsible for the shooting is apprehended and that they receive the maximum punishment allowed by law,” Graves said.
Mayor Quinton Lucas commended the work of police and prosecutors in bringing criminal charges. He said “lawlessness and criminality will never be tolerated in Kansas City.”
“We recognize that for the people of Kansas City to feel safe, for us to deter criminal activity and to ensure valid and appropriate punishment, consequences must be swift, certain and severe,” Lucas said.
The shooting occurred shortly before 2 p.m. Wednesday as hundred of thousands of Chiefs fans were celebrating the team’s Super Bowl victory against the San Francisco 49ers. Shots fired on the west side of Union Station sent hundreds of people running for cover.
According to probable cause statements, Mays and Miller were among those shot.
Court documents say a group of four males approached Mays and asked what he was looking at. “They began arguing about why they were staring at each other,” one of the probable cause statements said. One of the males had a backpack with a firearm in it. Mays allegedly backed up, continued to yell and then pulled out a handgun.
Charges were also filed last week against two teens who were being held at the Juvenile Detention Center on gun-related and resisting arrest offenses, the family court division of the Jackson County Circuit Court said in a statement Friday.
It said additional charges were expected as the investigation continued.
The Office of the Juvenile Officer acts as a prosecutor for criminal cases brought against minors with the proceedings held in family court.
Depending on the seriousness of criminal charges, juvenile defendants may face a mandatory certification hearing to determine whether they are tried as adults. Such offenses requiring a mandatory certification include first-degree assault and murder.
The Jackson County Prosecutor also has charged 36-year-old Jose L. Castillo with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm.
A witness told police he heard gunshots and then saw two males fighting. One of them dropped a handgun on the ground during the fight, according to court documents. Castillo allegedly picked up the firearm and walked away, the witness told officers. The witness then pointed out Castillo to officers.
When officers confronted Castillo and ordered him to the ground, Castillo allegedly removed a black Glock 22 handgun and threw it on the ground, according to court documents. Because of a felony conviction in 2016, Castillo is not allowed to possess a firearm.
Baker asked for help from people who were at the rally and might be able to provide other information, including those who were wounded in the stampede that occurred as people tried to flee once the gunfire started.
Saying they were aware of all of the individuals who had been shot, Baker added that they wanted to hear from those who had other injuries.
“These too are victims in this case, so that’s why we would like to hear from you,” Baker said.
Prior to opening the press conference up to allow members of the media ask questions, Baker said she would not be able to answer questions about the case and other people’s responsibility level.
“The most important thing I want you to hear is that we are not done yet,” Baker said.
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