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Thursday June 27, 2024

Kansas City rally shooting: Suspect's disturbing past uncovered in police investigation

Kansas City shooting suspect Lyndell Mays pleaded guilty on February 8, 2022 and was placed on two years' probation after he brandished gun at community centre

By Web Desk
February 22, 2024
Lyndell Mays was charged with second-degree felony murder in the mass shooting at the Chiefs Super Bowl victory rally on Feb. 14, 2024. — Jackson County Detention Center
Lyndell Mays was charged with second-degree felony murder in the mass shooting at the Chiefs Super Bowl victory rally on Feb. 14, 2024. — Jackson County Detention Center 

One of the suspects involved in the tragic Kansas City parade shooting was previously convicted of pulling out a gun at a community centre. 

The prior incident occurred at the Belton Community Centre in April 2021, where Lyndell Mays, 23, displayed a black handgun during a dispute while playing basketball. The confrontation led to widespread panic, with people fleeing the gym for their safety.

Mays, who pleaded guilty on February 8, 2022, was placed on two years' probation following the community centre incident.

The Kansas City parade shooting claimed the life of Lisa Lopez-Galvan and left 22 others injured. During the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl victory parade, chaos ensued after Lyndell Mays and 18-year-old Dominic Miller engaged in a deadly confrontation. Witnesses described a heated argument between two groups, culminating in a barrage of gunfire that sent parade-goers running for cover.

Lyndell Mays provided a chilling account of the events that led to the melee. According to court documents, Mays admitted that he "randomly picked" a target to fire at during a heated argument at the Chiefs' Super Bowl victory parade.

The chaotic Kansas City shooting scene unfolded within seconds, with Mays claiming he feared for his life, prompting him to pull out his weapon. Despite an initial hesitation due to the presence of children in the crowd, Mays allegedly picked an individual from the opposing group at random and started shooting.

The altercation, caught on video, shows the rapid escalation of violence, with Dominic Miller strategically positioning himself in the crowd. The footage shows him shooting his gun while falling over.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the revelation of Mays' prior conviction for pulling a gun at a community center adds a concerning dimension to the investigation.

Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves expressed the gravity of the situation, saying that half of the 22 injured were under the age of 16. 

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced second-degree felony murder charges against Mays and Miller, along with additional charges of armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. 

Baker emphasised a commitment to holding every shooter accountable for their actions, signaling that more charges may follow.

The Kansas City shooting at the Chiefs rally has left the community grappling with the consequences of a senseless act of violence.