“Wrist slaps” from the courts for two gunmen in the horrific 2024 Kansas City Chiefs rally shooting have ignited national fury this week.
One of the shooters took what is being seen as an overly generous plea deal to escape a murder charge on Monday. The former juvenile, meanwhile – who escaped serious prosecution for the rally shooting – has recently been rearrested for an armed robbery.
Dominic Miller, an adult at 18 years old at the time, had faced charges of second-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action in the shooting, in which one person died and over 20 more were injured.
Beloved KC disc jockey Lisa Lopez-Galvan died in the shooting and prosecutors say a bullet from Miller’s gun is what killed her.
Court documents show 12 people pulled guns at the rally, and at least six of them were fired, Fox News reports.
In Monday’s plea deal, Miller traded his class A felony second-degree murder charge, the highest felony level, for a class E felony, the lowest, by pleading guilty to unlawful use of a weapon. He was sentenced to two years’ incarceration in the Missouri Department of Corrections.
Miller gets credit for the time he already served in jail, and since he’s been in custody for more than two years he’s even expected to be released soon, his attorney told KMBC.
One local news station originally seemed to characterize Miller’s conviction as a win for public safety, with the headline “Judge sends SUSPECT to prison in Chiefs parade shooting that killed DJ Lisa Lopez-Galvan.” But the outlet appears to have changed the story’s tone with a new headline reading, “Charge reduced for teen who fired shot at Chiefs Super Bowl rally that killed one.”
Residents responded to the dropped charges with outrage on X, calling for Mayor Quinton Lucas to do something and asking for better judges.
“My [friend’s] aunt was killed by this dude and he got the charges dropped? Where is the justice?” one user objected.
“@MayorLucasKC You have no business running a city. You’ve turned this city into hell,” said another.
“Unreal. Woke prosecutors, far left mayor, and progressive criminal justice reform have consequences” wrote a third.
Tony’s Kansas City appeared to call out Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson for the plea deal, after she had promised to crack down on violent crime during her campaign.
“You’re going to find out I’m not playing with y’all,” she said last year.
“Good intentions, campaign promises and a great deal of public frustration didn’t matter amid a recent prosecution,” Tony’s Kansas City groused.
The juvenile from the 2024 shooting, Asere Mekenon, was arrested as a 16-year-old for firing a gun at the rally. He was charged with unlawful use of a weapon after firing a gun and resisting arrest. But a judge decided Mekenon shouldn’t be tried as an adult, which could’ve resulted in prison time. Instead, he spent an undisclosed amount of time in custody at Missouri Division of Youth Services before being released, Fox notes.
More recently, Mekenon allegedly robbed a man at gunpoint two weeks ago at a gas station on Troost Avenue. Now, he’s facing charges of first-degree robbery, the most severe felony level, along with another unnamed felony.
Mekenon’s apparent repeat record has residents questioning why he was allowed to walk free in the first place.
“Just another day in @MayorLucasKC Kansas City,” a user commented in an X post by the popular Libs of TikTok. “Weak, Woke Prosecutor & Judiciary means these criminals aren’t held accountable. Repeat offenders galore.”
“Who could’ve possibly seen this coming?!” Libs of TikTok wrote in the post. “This really isn’t rocket science.”
“Our thoughts continue to be with Lisa Lopez-Galvan’s family during this difficult time,” the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office told the Heartlander
The office says the evidence it has couldn’t prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” that Miller’s bullet was what killed Galvan.
“Our office consulted with the victim’s family throughout the process, and they understand the limitations presented under Missouri law in these circumstances,” the office says. “The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office is committed to holding violent actors accountable when the law allows.”
The prosecutor’s office provided The Heartlander this statement from Galvan’s family:
“The greatest justice would be having Lisa back, but since that is not possible, accountability still matters. We also share the hope expressed in court that change can come from this and that people recognize the importance of making better choices. Our family continues to focus on honoring Lisa’s life and supporting her children and loved ones.”
