Man Falsely Accused in Chiefs Shooting Dies Amid Legal Battle

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Denton Loudermill Jr., a Kansas man who was wrongly accused of participating in a deadly shooting at a Kansas City rally in February 2024, has died, his attorney confirmed Friday. The 49-year-old from Olathe was involved in a series of legal battles after the accusations that marred his life and reputation.

Loudermill was publicly named in social media posts by several lawmakers, including three Republican Missouri state senators and a Tennessee congressman, who falsely connected him to the shooting that occurred during the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory celebration. His attorney, LaRonna Lassiter Saunders, stated that more details surrounding his death would be shared later, requesting privacy for the family during this difficult time.

The tragic incident unfolded on February 14, 2024, outside Union Station, resulting in the death of a well-known DJ and injuries to over 20 others, including many children. Loudermill found himself handcuffed and briefly detained by police but was never charged with any offenses. His legal disputes claimed that he was wrongly depicted as a “shooter” and an “illegal alien” on social media platforms, leading to harassment and death threats against him.

According to court documents, Loudermill was merely a bystander who froze during the shooting, and it took him considerable time to escape the scene due to the ensuing chaos. Nonetheless, his identity was wrongfully distorted through viral misinformation. In response, Loudermill initiated defamation lawsuits against the lawmakers who had implicated him.

Three suspects have since been charged with murder related to the shooting, which authorities identified as stemming from a conflict between two groups. While the legal proceedings regarding Loudermill’s case were on-going, Saunders pledged to continue the fight for justice, asserting, “Mr. Loudermill should not have spent his final days burdened with stress and chasing down a lie that went viral.”

Loudermill’s passing adds another layer of tragedy to a case already enveloped in sorrow and controversy. The community is left to grapple with the ramifications of both the violence that erupted that fateful night and the unjust treatment faced by an innocent man.