Kansas City, Missouri

On June 9, 2023, Officer Blayne Newton was waiting in traffic when he saw the driver of a pickup truck point a firearm out the window toward a van occupied by Nelson, Fairchild, Thorns, and two others. Nelson, who was in the passenger seat of the van, fired twice in apparent self-defense before the truck drove away. Newton then pulled up next to the van and immediately opened fire, discharging sixteen rounds that hit Thorns, Fairchild, and Nelson. The wrongful death complaint stated that Nelson did not point or fire a weapon at Newton. Fairchild and Nelson died, and Thorns continues to experience post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. Newton remained employed by the Police Department as of November 2025, and the Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney later declined to file criminal charges against him.

On May 26, 2019, Officer Dylan Pifer attempted to arrest Bridges for a carjacking incident, even though Bridges was not involved in the crime. According to police reports, Bridges ran, and Pifer shot him in the chest when he caught up to him. Pifer was not charged in the killing and remained on the police force as of November 2022.

The lawsuit alleged that the Department had violated Theresa Taylor’s right to protest by banning her from returning to the Country Club Plaza after arresting her and 100 others during protests against police brutality. The banishment order provided that, if Taylor were to return to the Country Club Plaza, she would be arrested and charged. The settlement clears the banishment order, prohibits officers from adding conditions of bond release beyond those imposed by the court, and requires officers to be trained on free speech, anti-bias, and de-escalation practices.