'A Mother Is Dead’: The Uvalde Foundation for Kids Blasts Dropped Murder Charge in Kansas City Chiefs Rally Shooting Case
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9 March 2026
The Uvalde Foundation for Kids/Youth Peace & Justice Foundation Condemns Court Decision Dropping Murder Charge in Kansas City Chiefs Rally Shooting Case; Reaffirms Heroism Recognition for Clyde Edwards-Helaire
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Foundation recognized acts of extraordinary bravery that helped protect young people caught in the chaos.
The organization presented its Heroism Award to Clyde Edwards‑Helaire, running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, after reports confirmed he shielded and helped guide a 13-year-old fan to safety during the shooting.
The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation — also known nationally as the Uvalde Foundation for Kids — today issued a strong response following the decision by the courts to drop a murder charge against a suspect connected to the deadly shooting at the 2024 Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Parade Shooting.
The shooting occurred during celebrations for the Kansas City Chiefs championship parade in Kansas City, where gunfire erupted near Union Station, leaving one person dead and dozens injured.
The victim, Lisa Lopez‑Galvan, a beloved community member and radio DJ, was killed while attending the celebration with family and friends.
In recent court proceedings, prosecutors dropped a murder charge against one suspect as part of a plea agreement related to weapons charges.
The Foundation says the decision sends the wrong message at a time when communities across the United States are struggling to confront the consequences of mass violence.
“The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation — also known as the Uvalde Foundation for Kids — rejects the decision to drop the murder charge in connection with the Kansas City Chiefs rally shooting.
A mother is dead. Children were injured. Families ran for their lives during what should have been a moment of celebration for an entire city.
And yet, the most serious charge connected to that loss of life has now been removed from the case.
While we respect the independence of the courts, we cannot remain silent when outcomes fail to reflect the magnitude of the harm inflicted on a community.
When individuals introduce firearms into volatile confrontations inside massive crowds, the predictable result is tragedy. The death of Lisa Lopez-Galvan was not an abstract legal theory — it was a real human life taken in the middle of a family event attended by thousands.
Justice must mean more than technical thresholds. It must acknowledge the devastating consequences of reckless violence in public spaces.
Across the country, young people are watching these outcomes. They are watching to see whether our institutions treat the loss of life at mass gatherings with the seriousness it deserves.
Today’s outcome risks sending the message that the legal system struggles to fully confront the consequences of gun violence when chaos and multiple actors are involved.
For families who have lost loved ones in shootings — from Uvalde to Kansas City and beyond — decisions like this reopen wounds and reinforce a painful sense that justice is often incomplete.
Communities deserve better.”
The organization presented its Heroism Award to Clyde Edwards‑Helaire, running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, after reports confirmed he shielded and helped guide a 13-year-old fan to safety during the shooting.
“While the justice system struggles with accountability, individuals like Clyde Edwards-Helaire remind us what courage and responsibility look like in real time,” the Foundation said.
“When gunfire erupted and panic spread through the crowd, he focused on protecting a frightened child. Those actions represent the very best of our communities — the instinct to protect the young and vulnerable even when personal safety is at risk.”
The Foundation says the Kansas City rally shooting reflects a growing national pattern of violence erupting at public gatherings attended by families and young people.
“These incidents are not isolated events anymore. From parades and concerts to schools and sporting events, Americans increasingly face the reality that even moments of joy can become scenes of violence.
We cannot normalize this.
We cannot allow accountability to fade when tragedies occur in crowded public spaces.
And we cannot forget the victims.”
The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, also widely known as the The Uvalde Foundation for Kids, works nationally to support victims of violence, advocate for youth safety, and recognize acts of courage that protect children and families in moments of crisis.
Jennifer West
Youth Peace and Justice Foundation
Uvalde Foundation For Kids
254-499-8027
Charity ID 88-3268749
