Shaun Brady, a respected chef in Kansas City, Missouri’s Irish community, was fatally shot on Wednesday evening, August 28, 2024, as he intervened during a car burglary near his restaurant, Brady & Fox Restaurant & Lounge, located in the Brookside neighborhood.
The 44-year-old chef gained local fame not only for his culinary prowess but also for his community participation. Brady was throwing out the trash when he spotted a group around a parked vehicle. Witnesses reported that Brady approached the group, suspecting them of attempting to break into the car. This confrontation escalated, resulting in a deadly shooting.
Upon their arrival at the scene, police found Brady unconscious, with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later declared dead. According to officials, “Brady was trying to stop someone from breaking into the vehicle when he was shot,” as reported by FOX4 Kansas City.
“Within an hour of the incident occurring two juvenile male teen subjects were taken into custody pending further investigation in regard to this case,” KCPD Sgt. Phillip DiMartino said in an update Thursday morning. “The vehicle used in the crime was also recovered. The subjects were taken into custody and the vehicle was found a short distance away in Midtown.”
One of the juveniles has been charged with second-degree murder or, alternatively, felony murder, classified as a Class A felony. Additionally, this juvenile faces charges for attempted theft of a motor vehicle, which is classified as an E felony, as well as armed criminal action, categorized as an unclassified offense.
The other minor faces charges of second-degree murder, classified as a Class A Felony, along with attempted theft, which is categorized as a Class E felony.
Due to their status as minors, the identities of the suspects cannot be disclosed. According to Missouri law, a mandatory hearing must take place to assess whether the juveniles will be tried as adults.
As reported by the Kansas City Star on Wednesday, September 25, a spokesperson for the Jackson County courts indicated that one of the status hearings for the juveniles is set for December 4, with the other scheduled for December 18. Both teenagers have been held in the Jackson County juvenile detention center since the evening of the deadly shooting.
Brady’s death has deeply impacted the Kansas City community, particularly those who knew him as more than an accomplished chef. Brady was a devoted family man, survived by a wife, a Kansas native whom he had met in Ireland, and two young children. Described by friends and colleagues as generous, hardworking, and always ready to assist or share a jovial moment, his loss is keenly felt.
The Kansas City Irish Fest organizers, where Brady regularly took part and created the festival’s popular Irish Breakfast event, said, “He was a beloved figure and a pillar of the Irish community in Kansas City.” The festival issued a statement acknowledging Brady’s significant role in the Irish community, both through the festival and his restaurant.
In respect and mourning, the Kansas City Irish Fest, scheduled for the weekend, announced the cancelation of the Irish Breakfast event.
Originally from Nenagh, County Tipperary, Ireland, Brady relocated to Kansas City, Missouri in 2013 following a successful stint as a restaurateur in Chicago, Illinois. His restaurant, Brady & Fox Restaurant & Lounge, co-owned with fellow chef and friend Graham Farris, quickly became a neighborhood favorite, appreciated for its inviting ambiance and authentic Irish cuisine.
Brady’s violent death is the 102nd homicide in Kansas City this year, a reduction from the 133 homicides reported at the same point last year, yet it continues to raise alarm among residents and officials.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas expressed his condolences on social media, remarking on Brady’s impactful role as a business and community leader.
The incident was reportedly recorded on nearby surveillance cameras.
Tributes were shared from both sides of the Atlantic. Friends, fellow chefs, and customers left flowers and messages at Brady & Fox, while others posted their memories of the esteemed chef on social media. “We are absolutely broken,” shared one of Brady’s close friends. “Shaun was the heart and soul of our community, and his absence leaves an irreplaceable void.”
Shaun Brady’s legacy, his culinary contributions, and his positive influence on those he encountered will be remembered.
