After days of investigation, a detective has claimed that Lyndell Mays, the alleged gunman in the Kansas City parade shooting, has confessed to the crime. Along with 18-year-old Dominic Miller, Mays is now facing charges including murder in the second degree, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon. It has also been revealed that Mays has a prior conviction for attempting to end a fight with a firearm.
The shooting took place during the celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl win on February 14th, leaving one woman dead and 22 others injured. Mays and Miller are believed to have been involved in a dispute with another group of individuals, during which Mays confessed to pulling out a gun and opening fire.
According to Detective Grant Spiking, Mays told him, “Stupid man, just pulled a gun out and started shooting. I shouldn’t have done that. Just being stupid.” The argument reportedly began when four men approached Mays and asked him what he was looking at. This led to a heated exchange and individuals from both groups pulling out firearms, resulting in the tragic shooting.
Prosecutors have also revealed that a Glock 9mm handgun, reported stolen from a Kansas City location, was found near Mays at the scene. He has been linked to previous gun-related offenses, including a recent conviction for brandishing a gun during a basketball game. In February 2022, he was found guilty and sentenced to five days of shock probation, along with other penalties.
The family and friends of Lyndell Mays have reacted to his arrest, with his sister claiming that he was only trying to protect her during the altercation. She stated, “For them to make my brother out to be a monster, it really hurts me… He doesn’t deserve to be thrown into it like that.” Mays’ mother has also set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for her son’s medical expenses.
Despite the claims of self-defense, prosecutor Jean Peters Baker has stated that Miller is believed to have fired the shot that killed local DJ Lisa Lopez-Galvan. In a press conference on Tuesday, Baker also announced that they are still seeking other suspects involved in the shooting.
Two suspects, Mays and Miller, remain hospitalized with injuries from the shooting. According to Baker, they will face possible life sentences if found guilty and are currently being held on a $1,000,000 bond. The ages of the other victims injured in the shooting range from eight to 47, with half of them being minors.
Authorities initially detained three juveniles in connection with the shooting, but one was later released after it was determined that they were not involved. Social media images show that multiple suspects were taken into custody after the shooting. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is currently assisting in the investigation by analyzing bullet casings and firearms for evidence that may link the suspects to the shooting.
Eyewitnesses have given disturbing accounts of the chaotic scene during the shooting, with people being trampled and victims being shot. The large size of the crowd, estimated to be upwards of a million people, exacerbated the panic and confusion as people tried to flee to safety. The victim, Lisa Lopez-Galvan, was a mother of two and passed away during emergency surgery after being shot in the abdomen. Her family has released a statement asking for privacy and prayers during this difficult time. Manny Abarca, a friend of Lopez-Galvan’s, spoke out about the tragedy and called for stricter gun control measures to prevent similar events from happening in the future.
