Teen accused of killing KC Irish Fest chef fights not to be tried as adult
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Prominent Irish Fest chef and restaurateur Shaun Brady was shot and killed outside his own business in 2024. It was a killing that rocked the community to its core.
Now, the 15-year-old accused of carrying out this cold blooded murder in broad daylight is fighting to not be tried as an adult.
Prominent Irish Fest chef killed in Kansas City shooting
The teen's dad said it wouldn't be fair for his son to be charged as an adult.
'Development goes a long way in life, and he hasn't gotten that far,' his dad said. 'He hasn't developed enough to understand a mistake—and mistakes will be made throughout his life.'
No cameras were allowed in the courtroom. FOX4's Malik Jackson was the only reporter in the courtroom Tuesday.
The state began by calling to the stand the homicide detective who responded to the scene. The detective recounted how the responding officer initially thought he was being called to an explosion – but it turned out to be gunfire.
A video shown in court captured the moments when the 15-year-old and a group of teens allegedly arrived near Brady's restaurant, Brady and Fox, in a stolen car.
Brookside community demanding change amid Shaun Brady killing
According to the detective, they attempted to break into Brady's Hyundai.
Brady, who was unloading boxes, saw this and intervened. Authorities said the three teens then returned to the stolen car, with Brady kicking and swinging at the car as they drove off.
The state contends that the video shows the 15-year-old exiting the car and shooting Brady in the chest. Seven shell casings were found at the scene, along with another bullet that hit a nearby home.
Brady's wife was emotional as the video was played in the courtroom. Brady also leaves behind two children.
In court, the hardships the 15-year-old had endured throughout his life came to light.
At just the age of four, the accused killer was diagnosed with cancer – a disease which returned at least three times before the age of seven.
Because of the cancer, the teen was prescribed opioids at a young age. This developed into an addiction, which caused the teen to fail middle school. His mom testified that he's overdosed twice.
Testimony also revealed that the teen had endured years of abuse, including being beat with a metal bat. In court, it was also revealed that his dad beat his mom so much that she went blind.
Because of the food insecurity he was facing, the teen turned to selling drugs at age 10 to feed himself and his siblings.
His attorney said he was neglected in every aspect of his life, with the state's own witness saying he's had a 'life full of trauma.'
The teen's father claims this could have been avoided if the justice system had held his son accountable for previous crimes – burglary in 2021 and trespassing in 2024 – that never resulted in charges.
FOX4 asked his father if he feels the justice system is partly to blame.
'Yes,' he said in response.
He said he believes that the community would be safe with his son on the streets—as long as he get the rehabilitation he needs.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Woman says former firefighter sexually abused her, fears he will avoid punishment
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — FOX4 spoke with a woman who said she's worried that a former metro firefighter will avoid punishment after she said he sexually assaulted her as a child. FOX4 has agreed to protect her identity. Independence police chief on leave, fires back at 'baseless rumors' in FOX4 interview The former metro firefighter, who has been hailed a hero, is charged with criminal sodomy. There was a hearing for him Thursday in Johnson County, but not much happened. The unidentified woman said she is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of Trevor Miller. The City of Overland Park and the Overland Park Fire Department (OPFD) are aware of an investigation into a former OPFD employee. 'As soon as the city became aware of the allegations, the former employee was placed on administrative leave,' a spokesperson with the OPFD told FOX4. 'Within a week of being placed on leave, the employee submitted his intention to retire immediately. 'He is no longer an employee of the city or the fire department. The city and Fire department are fully cooperating with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office investigation.' Miller was employed with the city from 1990 to 2023. 'He should be held more accountable for what he's done,' she said. 'For me, personally, growing up, I looked to him as a hero. He's a firefighter for the city. He saves lives.' Miller has been charged with one count of criminal sodomy, from an incident that happened when she was 14. The charge was filed in 2024. 'I knew Trevor growing up as my mother's friend. I saw him occasionally,' she told FOX4. The incident, which occurred in 2012, was reported to law enforcement in October of 2023. At that time, she said Miller was an adult she thought she could confide in. 'In the summer of 2012, I ended up meeting up with him,' she said. 'He took me out to look at Harleys. He taught me how to pump my gas, and he took me to his house and did inappropriate things to me and took me home.' She said she's worried that Miller may get offered a plea agreement – instead of being held accountable for what he's done. Miller has pleaded not guilty to the charge. The case was continued Thursday. The City of Overland Park's website still highlights his efforts to bring a 9/11 memorial to town. 'I don't think he is someone to be looked to as a respectable, trusted member of the community,' she said. 'People should know he's a monster.' Court documents also show that Miller was involved with the 'Camp Inferno' program, which introduced girls to firefighting—and 'he had to be reminded he wasn't there for socializing.' Records show he exchanged information with campers. 'I would definitely say there was grooming. I would definitely say there was sexual abuse,' she said. 'I do encourage people to come forward, but I definitely understand why many don't.' She told FOX4 that she remained silent until 2023, but was driven by two factors to speak out: Having a child of her own The birth of Miller's daughter FOX4 made several attempts to contact Miller's attorney by phone and email; neither inquiry was returned. FOX4 also reached out to the Johnson County District Attorney, who did not comment on the case. Miller has another hearing scheduled for mid-July. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
MSHP ask for help locating missing Raytown woman
KANSAS CITY, MO. — The Missouri State Highway Patrol is asking for the public's help in locating a woman who's been missing for over a month. Independence police chief on leave, fires back at 'baseless rumors' in FOX4 interview Police say Caitlin Blose, 34, has not been seen or heard from since April 21. Caitlin is described as a Caucasian woman, 5 feet 6 inches in height, and was last seen in the Raytown area. Caitlin is also described as having a '666' tattoo above her left eyebrow, a tattoo of an eye on both of her hands, an anatomical heart on her upper right arm and a lion on her left thigh. Park Hill District partners with Strategos for school protection specialists Police are especially concerned for Caitlin's well-being as they believe she may be experiencing mental health challenges. Anyone with any information on Caitlin's whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Raytown Police Department at (816) 737-6020. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Legislator Manny Abarca pleads not guilty to domestic battery charges in Johnson County
OLATHE, Kan. — Jackson County Legislator Manuel 'Manny' Abarca IV appeared in a Johnson County courtroom Thursday after he was charged with domestic battery. On Wednesday, Manny was charged with domestic battery in Johnson County—stemming from a reported incident that happened on May 29, 2025. He pleaded not guilty to the charges on Thursday, June 5. Jackson Co. Legislator Abarca served protection order before reported missing He was booked into the Johnson County, Kansas, jail at 2:14 p.m. Wednesday and was released after posting a $1,500 bond. On Sunday, Abarca's wife reported him and their 2-year-old son missing – stating that she last saw her son on Wednesday evening and last saw her husband on Thursday. Shawnee police announced on Wednesday that the missing 2-year-old had been safely located and said their well-being had been verified. Alexis posted on Facebook Wednesday evening that her son is safe and back home with her. Abarca released the following statement to FOX4 Wednesday night: 'This is a matter of current litigation, so, unfortunately, there is not much I can say about this case at this time. However, I will say that I love my children more than anything, and I will always put them first. I hope that this issue is decided quickly so that the entire story can be told.' Jackson Co. Legislator Abarca charged in Missouri, Kansas He is also charged in Kansas City Municipal Court with violating a protection order. According to online court records, the protection order was issued by a Jackson County Circuit Court judge on May 30. As part of it, Manny was ordered to have no contact with his wife, and his wife was awarded custody of their child. Online court records show that Abarca is scheduled to appear in court for the Kansas City charge on July 10, 2025, at 9 a.m. FOX4 spoke with Aldo Caller, the attorney representing Abarca in Johnson County. He claims that Abarca's wife is actually the one who put the child in danger. 'There was an incident where his wife tried to take the child under circumstances he thought to be dangerous,' Caller told FOX4. 'We are going to show all of that in court. We want everyone to give these people some peace, some privacy, and let the court resolve all of these situations.' His attorney said Abarca was looking out for his son when he took the child. 'He has done what, I think, what any father who is concerned about the nature of a child would do,' Caller said. 'He has looked out for the safety and welfare of the child, and we are prepared to show that in court.' He said the claims of domestic battery are false. 'There are things, I think, that will be shocking to a lot of people – things that are not at all uncommon in many relationships, but we're going to leave that to the courts to decide,' Abarca's attorney told FOX4. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
