Dominic M. Miller, the 20-year-old man accused of firing the shot that tragically killed Kansas City radio personality Lisa Lopez-Galvan during the 2024 Chiefs Super Bowl parade, is set to be released from jail after prosecutors dropped second-degree murder charges against him. Miller, who has been in custody since the incident, entered a plea agreement, agreeing to plead guilty to a single count of unlawful use of a weapon.
The agreement has led to a two-year prison sentence, but Miller will receive credit for time served, meaning he could be released in the coming days. In addition to the dropped murder charges, two counts of armed criminal action against Miller were also dismissed. His attorney, David Wiegert, confirmed that the release is expected to happen shortly after the judgment is filed.
The tragedy unfolded on February 5, 2024, when Miller, Lopez-Galvan, and several others were involved in a gunfire exchange during the parade, which celebrated the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVIII victory. According to prosecutors, Miller was one of a group of people who drew weapons during the chaotic scene. Though it was determined that Miller was not the first to fire, the bullet he discharged ultimately struck Lopez-Galvan, causing her death.
In court, the prosecution admitted that while they believed Miller fired the shot that killed Lopez-Galvan, the evidence was insufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he was the initial aggressor. Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp explained that Missouri’s self-defense laws played a role in the decision, stating that in order to charge Miller with second-degree murder, they would have to prove that he was the aggressor or acted outside the bounds of self-defense.
The prosecution’s statement highlighted the difficulty in meeting that burden of proof, given the complexity of the case: “The evidence available showed he was not the first to fire, nor was the available evidence able to confirm his shot caused the victim’s death,” they explained.
Despite the charge being dropped, the case has left a stain on the Kansas City Chiefs’ celebration, as the parade was marred by violence. In the aftermath of the shooting, Miller was also injured, suffering gunshot wounds in the exchange. He spent several months in critical condition before ultimately facing legal consequences.
Miller’s public defender, David Wiegert, said in a statement, “Mr. Miller spent over two years in custody and several months in the hospital in critical condition because of gunshot wounds he suffered from this incident. While we are very pleased to see his freedom restored, we remain concerned that he was charged with murder in the first place.“
The case has stirred debate, especially regarding Missouri’s self-defense laws, which can protect individuals from criminal liability if they unintentionally harm a third party while defending themselves or others.
The tragedy also affected Lopez-Galvan’s family, who has filed a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit against Miller. The victim, a beloved D.J. and radio host, was remembered by her family and friends as someone with a heart full of love for those around her. On a GoFundMe page created after her death, Lopez-Galvan’s cousin wrote: “She was loved by so many and loved those around her with her whole heart.“
As the case moves forward, attention now shifts to the other individuals involved in the shooting. Terry Young, another person allegedly connected to the incident, is scheduled for trial in 2027. The legal drama continues, and questions remain about the broader implications of the Kansas City Chiefs’ tragic parade shooting.
