We asked 18 KC leaders how World Cup is safe with rally shooters free. What they said

Kansas City is set to present itself to the world as a destination with the FIFA World Cup celebrations starting this week.

But a little more than two years after the Chiefs Super Bowl rally shooting and the legal aftermath that followed, how can law enforcement and elected officials ensure that Kansas City area residents and thousands of visitors, many of whom are from other countries, will be safe?

The mass shooting following the 2024 Super Bowl rally left one woman killed, Lisa Lopez-Galvan, and more than 20 people were shot, including nine children, whose ages ranged from 6 to 15.

Three adults, as well as three juveniles, faced multiple criminal charges in the shooting. Two of those adults, Dominic Miller and Terry Young, were initially charged with second-degree murder, but accepted plea deals from Jackson County prosecutors to unlawful use of a weapon.

Both of the men received a two-year sentence, which included time served. Miller was released on March 13 and Young was released April 22.

A third man, Lyndell Mays, still faces a second-degree murder charge and an additional charge of causing catastrophe. His criminal trial is set for 2027.

Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson said Missouri’s self-defense law imposed a burden of proof that was too high for her office to secure a murder conviction after Miller’s hearing, fueling debate among advocates, attorneys and elected officials about the result and state law.

Survivors have filed at least six civil lawsuits in response to the shooting. The civil cases against Union Station, the city government, the Kansas City Sports Commission and others involved in the planning of the rally remain pending.

Last weekend, Kansas City police officers responded to a mass shooting in the 7900 block of Troost Avenue that left nine people with non-life-threatening injuries.

Community leaders, elected officials and event organizers who were approached for this story were asked the following:

After the Jackson County prosecutor struck plea deals with two men, allowing them to walk free after serving two years in jail for committing a broad daylight mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl rally in 2024, how can we invite people to attend a World Cup in Kansas City? How can they expect to be safe?

Eighteen people were contacted for this story, and while some expressed interest in participating, only seven people responded to the question. Here’s what they told us:

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas

“Kansas City’s public safety agencies, including our exceptional Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson, have prepared for years for the World Cup, investing in personnel, training, and equipment that will make our World Cup footprint among the safest spaces in our entire region this summer. I will bring my children and my wife to events around our community and proudly and confidently welcome others to Kansas City for a safe and enjoyable World Cup.”

Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson

“Two of the three men charged in the Super Bowl parade shooting did not walk free. They were convicted for their conduct in the crime; they served a prison sentence; and are barred from possessing a firearm for the rest of their lives. Our office was unable to sustain the murder charge against these two because, under Missouri’s self-defense and defense-of-others laws, we could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that they did not fire in self-defense or defense-of-others. The third defendant, who is still facing a murder charge, is still set for trial in 2027.”

“As for safety at the World Cup, we’ll defer to the security operation headed by KCPD, a host of other local law enforcement agencies, the host committee, and federal partners. Our role begins when state law is broken and we have been preparing for months ahead of the matches. Our office is ready for any uptick in crime the World Cup may bring, including requesting passport holds for visitors charged with serious Class A or B felonies and increasing on-call staff to ensure efficient review and filing for crimes that may be committed overnight or over the weekends. We hope both Kansas Citians and visitors from around the world celebrate safely and responsibly. But we will hold accountable those who put our community in danger.”

Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves

Police Chief Stacey Graves did not directly respond to requests for comment. A spokesperson for the Police Department provided the following statement: “KCPD and the Prosecutors office have a strong and collaborative working relationship. With that being said, your question pertaining to prosecution would need to be answered by their office or the Juvenile Court, depending on the age of the arrested subject. As we all know, this was a very large and chaotic scene that required collaboration from several different law enforcement agencies, federal partners, city officials, and respective prosecutors.

The World Cup plans and preparations have been ongoing for several years among different entities to include FIFA and KC2026.

Tom Whittaker, president, Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners

Whittaker did not directly answer the questions. In his email response, Whittaker wrote: “I don’t have anything more than what Captain (Jacob) Becchina previously provided, other than to mention the additional resources from other departments and agencies to increase the presence of officers at events and supporting other efforts.”

Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota

“I think the question includes an example not actually related to the safety of any World Cup issues. The decision the prosecutor made was one based on her office’s discretion under the law. I won’t comment on that but I do not believe they are related. However, as a board member of KC2026, I have seen the specific and intricate details of law enforcement and security protocols related to the FIFA Fanfest and the World Cup matches at the Truman Sports Complex and, the safety and security of attendees is paramount. People should feel very safe attending any soccer matches and attending the FIFA Fanfest.”

Clark Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs chairman and CEO, and honorary co-chair for KC26

Attempts to reach Hunt were not returned by team officials.

Gwen Grant, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City

“It is completely misplaced to suggest that the plea agreement is what determines whether Kansas City can safely host the World Cup. The real question is whether our city, KCPD, and elected officials have learned the lessons of the Super Bowl rally tragedy and are prepared to prevent it from happening again. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent on security for that event, yet there were no metal detectors, no effective weapons screening, and no meaningful safeguards to prevent firearms from entering a crowded public gathering. Efficacious public safety tactics are measured by what we prevent, not by plea deals or courtroom proceedings after the fact.”

Pam Kramer, KC26 CEO

Attempts to reach Kramer for this story were not returned.

U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II

“The 2026 World Cup is an opportunity to showcase all that Kansas City has to offer, and community leaders have been working tirelessly to ensure Missourians and tourists feel safe when traversing our city for the historic event. With input from our local officials, I have helped secure nearly $80 million in federal funding that will support local law enforcement, enhance our security apparatus, and ensure we are ready to meet this moment.”

These investments are enabling the procurement of additional license plate readers, police cruisers, aviation technology, and law enforcement officials. They are supporting a Transit Ambassador Program with the KCATA (the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority) that will strengthen security on public transportation. And they have improved coordination among security officials that have been preparing for months.

I look forward to sharing the experience with our neighbors and visitors alike.”

Tony Luetkemeyer, Missouri Senate Majority Leader

Senate Majority Leader Luetkemeyer did not respond to requests for comment on the question for this story.

Cliff Illig, owner, Sporting KC and honorary co-chair, KC26

Attempts to reach Illig were not returned by team officials.

Kathy Nelson, president and CEO, Kansas City Sports Commission and Visit KC president

Emails sent to media contacts for the Kansas City Sports Commission were not returned.

Keri Ingle, Missouri House Representative

Attempts to reach Ingle for this story were not returned.

FIFA Spokesperson

The Star reached out to the media contact for FIFA World Cup matters, but no response was given.

Ashley Aune, Missouri House Minority Leader

Aune did not respond to requests for comment for this story.

Melissa Robinson, Third District, Kansas City Council member

Attempts to reach Robinson were not returned.

Mark Sharp, Missouri House member

“I find it increasingly difficult to tell visitors from outside of our state and outside of our country that our state has done everything they can do to protect not only the Kansas City residents within the KC Metro, but also those visitors from out of town coming to enjoy the events of the World Cup in Kansas City. I filed several bills, including bills that would’ve increased the Jackson County prosecutor’s office’s ability to hold offenders more accountable, but those bills were never even referred.

Naturally, I assumed after we passed Blair‘s Law, a firearm bill that I sponsored for years, that we would see a bigger appetite to empower our prosecutor’s ability particularly around firearms. Instead, this past legislative session the supermajority focused on giving prosecutors more ability to certify juveniles as adults. My bill to ban Glock switches was never referred, my bill to set an age at 18 for constitutional carry in Missouri was also never referred to a committee. I also understand that small businesses, particularly those that serve alcohol, are excited about having longer hours to serve patrons, especially those from out of the country who may be used to having that option, but we already deal with too high an amount of impaired driving in Kansas City.”

“My provision that is within House Bill 1740 that creates a second tier for blood alcohol content at .15 for an immediate installation of ignition interlock devices if and when signed by the governor won’t go into effect until August 28. Maybe one of the only good things that I can say from a public safety standpoint is that we passed legislation that would allow local law enforcement to take down any potential drone threats around stadiums for the World Cup or practice facilities with electronic measures. I also fear that the continued gun violence that has nothing to do with the World Cup will continue to shine a light on Kansas City while on the international stage, displaying how much gun violence we truly have in our hometown.

Looking ahead, if Kansas City is to continue having a chance to host these large-scale events, our city, county and state must do a better job ensuring we pass legislation and adopt policies that keep Kansas City residents safe and also keep our visitors safe. Unfortunately, I’m not convinced that we did that this past year.”

Jonathan Patterson, Missouri House Speaker

“The state of Missouri has made significant investments in public safety to make the World Cup as safe as possible. I know that preventing violent criminal actions will be a top priority of our law enforcement officers."

Ben Wheeler

The Kansas City Star