Three men have been charged with firearms trafficking and other crimes as part of the investigation into the shooting that marred a Super Bowl victory celebration in Kansas City, Mo., federal prosecutors said on Wednesday.
One person was killed and more than 20 were injured in the shooting on Feb. 14, after an argument turned violent and at least six people opened fire just as the rally was dispersing near Union Station, the authorities said.
Days later, two teenagers were charged with resisting arrest and “gun-related” offenses. In late February, two Missouri men, Lyndell Mays, 23, and Dominic Miller, 18, were charged with murder.
Three Kansas City, Mo., men now face multiple federal charges after investigators determined that at least two of the weapons recovered at the shooting scene had been unlawfully purchased or trafficked.
Fedo Antonia Manning, 22, was charged with conspiracy to traffic firearms, engaging in firearm sales without a license and lying on a federal form. Ronnel Dewayne Williams Jr., 21, and Chaelyn Hendrick Groves, 19, were charged together with making false statements in the acquisition of firearms. Mr. Williams and Mr. Groves were each separately charged with lying to a federal agent.
It was not clear if any of the men had retained defense lawyers.
There is no evidence that the men were among those who opened fire at the parade, prosecutors said. But investigators say they were involved in straw purchases of some of the firearms recovered, meaning that they bought a firearm for someone who was not legally eligible to procure one.
“These cases underscore the importance of enforcing federal firearms laws,” Teresa Moore, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri, said in a statement. “Stopping straw buyers and preventing illegal firearms trafficking is our first line of defense against gun violence.”
According to prosecutors, Mr. Manning bought dozens of firearms, including several that wound up in the hands of people who were barred from owning guns. Among those weapons was a pistol recovered at the shooting. The gun’s magazine, which can hold up to 30 rounds, contained only 26 when investigators found it, suggesting that some of the rounds might have been fired.
In a separate complaint, prosecutors said that Mr. Williams bought a pistol at a gun show in November for Mr. Groves, who was too young to legally purchase a firearm. That gun was also found at the shooting scene.
The Feb. 14 shooting sent thousands of parade-goers scrambling to safety, turning a joyous day for the region into one filled with tragedy.
Ballistics tests revealed that a bullet from Mr. Miller’s gun killed Elizabeth Galvan, 43, a D.J. and radio host known as Lisa, who was at the celebration with her family. Nine children were among those who suffered gunshot wounds. Mr. Miller and Mr. Mays were also both shot during the exchange of gunfire.
Source Agencies
