Man Sentenced to 2 Years in Chiefs Parade Shooting

Plea deal highlights challenges of prosecuting under Missouri's self-defense laws

Apr. 17, 2026 at 7:06pm

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One of the men accused in the 2024 Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade shooting, Terry Young, pleaded guilty to a weapons offense on Friday and was sentenced to two years in prison. The plea deal highlights the difficulties prosecutors face in securing convictions under Missouri's robust self-defense laws, which the Jackson County prosecutor says severely restricted her ability to prosecute the case.

Why it matters

The shooting at the Chiefs parade left 43-year-old Lisa Lopez-Galvan dead and many others injured, including children. The plea deal in this case has left the victim's family disappointed, underscoring the tensions between community perceptions of justice and the legal constraints prosecutors face in such cases.

The details

Young was initially charged with second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, and two counts of armed criminal action. However, on Friday, Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced that Young had pleaded guilty to a weapons offense and was sentenced to two years in prison. Johnson said her office's duty required them to 'continually evaluate each case under the constraints of existing law' in determining an appropriate resolution.

  • The shooting incident occurred on February 14, 2024 during the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade.
  • On Friday, April 17, 2026, Terry Young pleaded guilty to a weapons offense and was sentenced to two years in prison.
  • Dominic Miller, another man accused in the shooting, pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a weapon in March 2026 and was also sentenced to two years.
  • Lyndell Mays, alleged to have been the first to pull a gun during the incident, is scheduled to go to trial on March 29, 2027.

The players

Terry Young

One of the men accused in the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade shooting who pleaded guilty to a weapons offense and was sentenced to two years in prison.

Melesa Johnson

The Jackson County Prosecutor who announced the plea deal and sentencing for Terry Young, citing the constraints of Missouri's self-defense laws.

Lisa Lopez-Galvan

The 43-year-old woman who was killed in the shooting at the Chiefs parade.

Dominic Miller

Another man accused in the shooting who pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a weapon and was sentenced to two years in prison.

Lyndell Mays

The man alleged to have been the first to pull a gun during the incident, who is scheduled to go to trial on March 29, 2027.

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What they’re saying

“We strongly agree with the Lopez-Galvan family that the greatest justice would be having Lisa back and home with her family. While we are not satisfied with today's outcome and share in the disappointment expressed by Lisa's family, our duty requires us to continually evaluate each case under the constraints of existing law to determine a resolution commensurate with each defendant's conduct.”

— Melesa Johnson, Jackson County Prosecutor

“This case like many others, highlights the significant restrictions that Missouri's self-defense and defense-of-others laws place on our ability to prosecute conduct that many in our community would deem unacceptable.”

— Melesa Johnson, Jackson County Prosecutor

“The Lisa Lopez Galvan family continues to mourn the devastating loss of our beloved Lisa. Today's hearing is another painful reminder that while these cases may move through the legal system, our family continues to live with the loss of Lisa every single day. We are disappointed that the outcome in this case is the same as the last. As this case comes to a close, we are reminded that no court outcome can truly measure what was taken from us.”

— Lisa Lopez Galvan Family

What’s next

Lyndell Mays, the man alleged to have been the first to pull a gun during the incident, is scheduled to go to trial on March 29, 2027.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges prosecutors face in securing convictions under Missouri's robust self-defense laws, even in high-profile incidents that have deeply impacted the community. The plea deals and light sentences have left the victim's family disappointed, underscoring the tension between legal constraints and community perceptions of justice.