Kansas City Officer Resigns After Scrutiny Over Fatal Shootings

Blayne Newton, a police officer with a history of controversial shootings, resigns from the force in a mutual decision.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Blayne Newton, a Kansas City police officer with a history of fatal shootings, has resigned from the force in a mutual decision with the department. Newton will receive a $50,000 settlement and is barred from future employment with the Kansas City Missouri Police Department (KCPD). The resignation comes after a prosecutor expressed "serious and ongoing concerns" about Newton's "pattern of behavior" and its potential impact on future cases, though she could not ethically or legally file criminal charges against him in a 2023 shooting incident.

Why it matters

The case highlights the complexities of police accountability, even when prosecutors acknowledge concerns about an officer's past conduct. A settlement and resignation, while removing the officer from the force, do not necessarily address broader systemic issues or provide a sense of closure for affected communities.

The details

Newton, a nine-year veteran who earned $94,900 annually, shot 16 rounds into a minivan during a 2023 incident that left two people dead and a third injured. The KCPD settled a wrongful death lawsuit related to the shooting with the families of the victims for $3.5 million late last year. Newton's history also includes the 2020 shooting death of an unarmed 47-year-old Black man and a 2024 incident where a former prosecutor called for his termination, citing a risk to public safety.

  • Newton resigned from the KCPD on February 13, 2026.
  • In late January 2026, Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced she could not 'ethically or legally' file criminal charges against Newton in connection with the 2023 shooting.
  • The KCPD settled a wrongful death lawsuit related to the 2023 shooting for $3.5 million late last year.

The players

Blayne Newton

A Kansas City police officer with a history of fatal shootings who resigned from the force in a mutual decision with the department.

Melesa Johnson

The Jackson County Prosecutor who expressed "serious and ongoing concerns" about Newton's "pattern of behavior" but could not ethically or legally file criminal charges against him.

Steve Young

The co-founder of KC LEAP (Law Enforcement Accountability Project) who stated that Newton's resignation does not constitute true accountability.

Jean Peters Baker

The former Prosecutor who called for Newton's termination in 2024, citing a risk to public safety.

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What they’re saying

“Resignation is not justice. It is not transparency. And it is not reform.”

— Steve Young, Co-founder of KC LEAP

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The case highlights the need for improved police accountability measures, including decertification, prosecution, and stronger oversight mechanisms, to address systemic issues and provide a sense of closure for affected communities.

The takeaway

The resignation of Officer Blayne Newton, while a step, does not fully address the complexities of police accountability and the need for more comprehensive reforms to ensure public trust and safety in Kansas City.