The quest for justice by the relatives and victims of the Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting that took place last week has taken a huge step forward after investigators announced charges against the suspects have been made.
The shooting happened at the end of the parade meant to celebrate the back-to-back Super Bowl victories by the Chiefs when they defeated the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl 58.
The tragic incident killed a 43-year-old mother of two and local radio DJ Lisa Lopez-Galvan. At least 22 people were also injured, ranging from age eight to 47.
Arrests were made not too long after the shooting. The adult suspects were identified as Lyndell Mays Raytown and Dominic Miller from Kansas City.
Missouri prosecutors said they have been charged with second-degree murder and several weapons counts.
"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," Lopez-Galvan's family said in a statement.
Who are the suspects, and what are their motivations?
The main suspects, Lyndell Mays and Dominic Miller, were not from the same group. Court records showed Mays is in his 20s while Miller is either 18 or 19 years old.
According to affidavits released by the authorities, an argument started between the two groups over beliefs that the other was staring at them.
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Mays is regarded as the instigator as he was seen on a video with another person approaching the group they accused of staring at them aggressively.
Things escalated quickly, and Mays began shooting despite being surrounded by people.
He said that he was hesitant at first because there were kids present in the area but got triggered when he heard somebody say, "I'm going to get you," thinking that meant somebody was out to kill him.
The bullet from Miller's gun was identified as the one that killed the victim.
As stated by the prosecutors, a video showed him chasing Mays' group. This dispelled his initial claims that he ran away from the area where the shooting was happening.
He later admitted to firing four to five shots from his gun.
Other suspects
Aside from Mays and Miller, two teenagers were arrested for their involvement in the incident but will not be tried as adults.
"These are adults," prosecutor Jean Peters Baker of Jackson County.
"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."
She also vowed that "every single one of them" would be held accountable.
Reports stated around one million people gathered for the Kansas City Chiefs championship parade celebration.
It is the second year in a row that a mass shooting took place at a sports celebration.
The same incident happened last year during the celebration of the Denver Nuggets' first-ever NBA title, leaving ten people wounded.
Related article: Kansas City Chiefs Parade Shooting-Everything You Need to Know
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