Three men have been charged with illegal firearms trafficking and purchasing straw following last month’s mass shooting in Kansas City that left one person dead following the Chiefs’ Super Bowl Victory Parade.
According to the Department of Justice, a total of 12 people brandished firearms and at least six individuals fired their weapons that day, resulting in 20 injuries, including 11 children. Police recovered several firearms, spent bullet casings and other items of evidentiary value at the scene.
Authorities say two firearms recovered at the scene of the mass shooting are named in two separate federal criminal complaints in Kansas City. One of those weapons – an Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 .223 caliber pistol – was recovered at the scene of the shooting. The loaded pistol was found next to the wall with a backpack alongside two AR-15 style firearms and backpacks. Authorities say it is believed that because the pistol was in the “fire” position and there were 26 live rounds in the magazine, it may have fired several rounds before it was discarded. The magazine has a capacity of up to 30 cartridges.
Fedo Antonio Manning, 22, was charged with a 12-count criminal complaint. Ronnel Dewayne Williams, Jr., 21, and Chaelyn Hendrick Groves, 19, were charged in a four-count federal criminal complaint.
The feds allege in the criminal complaint that the AM-15 pistol was purchased by Manning in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, in August 2022. The affidavit alleges that Manning illegally trafficked dozens of firearms, including many Anderson AM-15 firearms. Manufacturing.
The second firearm recovered at the scene was a .300 caliber Stag Arms pistol. It is alleged in the affidavit that Williams purchased the weapon at a gun show last November. It is alleged that Williams purchased the gun for Groves, who accompanied him to the gun show, but was too young to legally purchase the gun.
In the press release announcing the charges, the Justice Department emphasized that it is not alleging that Manning, Williams or Groves were among the shooters at Union Station, the site of the mass shooting. Instead, the feds accuse the trio of being involved in straw purchases and firearms trafficking.
“These cases underscore the importance of enforcing federal firearms laws,” U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore said in a statement. “Stopping straw buyers and preventing illegal firearm trafficking is our first line of defense against gun violence. At least two of the firearms recovered at the scene of the Union Station mass shooting were illegally purchased or trafficked. We work diligently with our law enforcement partners to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals by investigating and prosecuting those who illegally buy and sell dangerous weapons.”
The charges come nearly a month after authorities announced two Kansas City men are facing murder charges in connection with the homicide and non-fatal shootings outside Union Stationfollowing the Kansas City Chiefs Victory Parade and Rally.
According to a statement sent by the Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, Dominic M. Miller of Kansas City and Lyndell Mays of Raytown are facing 2nd degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.
“According to court records, the defendants attended a Super Bowl parade and rally on February 14 and were armed with firearms,” the statement read. “A verbal altercation occurred and gunshots erupted without regard for thousands of other individuals in the area. Both defendants are being held on $1 million bond.”
The charges against Miller and Mays came days later from the Jackson County Family Court Division announced that two young men have been charged and are in custody in a juvenile detention center for his involvement in the mass shooting. Because both accused individuals are minors, their names will not be released and future hearings will not be open to the public in accordance with Missouri law.
According to the Jackson County Family Court Division, the juveniles are being held on weapons charges and are resisting arrest. Authorities said they anticipate additional charges as the Kansas City Police Department’s investigation continues.
Baker also released a statement saying his office regularly works with juvenile court officials on cases, and “we also worked with them on this case.”
“While we do not supervise or supervise juvenile officers, we work closely with them,” the statement continues. “We look forward to attending future hearings regarding these individuals who were charged today in Family Court. We will continue to work closely with all authorities as the investigation continues. We are grateful for the collaboration and partnership with these juvenile officers. And we will continue to work closely with the police investigative team overseeing the investigation of this mass shooting. We plan to have no further comment today.”
As Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves shared on Saturday, a total of 23 people were shot near Union Station and one person died. The deceased person was identified as Lisa Lopez-Galvan – mother of two, die-hard Chiefs fan and popular DJ and radio host on KKFI’s 90.1 FM. She was 43 years old. Taylor Swift not only offered her condolences to the Lopez-Galvan family, but the singer also contributed $100,000 to the family GoFundMe.
“We are still learning about her, but we know she is loved by many,” Graves said at a news conference. “To her family and friends, we are with you and working tirelessly to investigate her murder.”
A preliminary investigation showed that the mass shooting resulted from an apparent dispute between several people that ended in gunfire. The other 22 shooting victims range in age from 8 to 47, and at least half of the victims are under the age of 16. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
After the charges against Miller and Mays were announced, Graves released another statement.
“Almost immediately after Wednesday’s shooting occurred at Union Station, our investigators determined that Dominic M. Miller, an adult, and Lyndell Mays, an adult, were two of the shooters,” she said. “I am grateful that the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office has charged Miller and Mays with murder and other crimes as a result of their reckless actions. The District Attorney’s Office has my full confidence in the handling and prosecution of this case. Both Miller and Mays were struck by gunfire in the incident and have since been hospitalized.These suspects are in addition to the two young men charged last week.
“Our investigation continues at full speed. Teams of detectives are working around the clock to ensure that anyone else responsible for the shootings is arrested and receives the maximum punishment allowed by law,” he added.
Graves concluded by saying, “Kansas City is the beloved home of the KCPD. We will not relent in our pursuit of justice.”
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