KC Reporter

Three Kansas City, Mo., men have been charged in federal court for illegal firearms trafficking and straw purchases of firearms as a result of the investigation into the mass shooting at Union Station during the celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory on Feb. 14, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore emphasized the significance of enforcing federal firearms laws, stating, “Stopping straw buyers and preventing illegal firearms trafficking is our first line of defense against gun violence. At least two of the firearms recovered from the scene of the mass shooting at Union Station were illegally purchased or trafficked.”

According to ATF Kansas City Field Division Special Agent in Charge Bernard Hansen, the arrests of these individuals serve as a warning to those involved in illegal firearms activities, stating, “The men and women of ATF will never waiver on our commitment to protect the public and to aggressively target firearms traffickers. The proliferation of illegal guns represents a grave danger to the public, but law enforcement is united and strong.”

Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves commended the efforts of federal partners and KCPD detectives in the investigation, asserting, “We will continue to hold those responsible for violence in our city accountable.”

The charges stem from the recovery of two firearms at the scene of the mass shooting. One of the firearms, an Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 .223-caliber pistol, was illegally purchased by Fedo Antonia Manning from Frontier Justice in Lee’s Summit, Mo. The second firearm, a Stag Arms 300-caliber pistol, was bought by Ronnel Dewayne Williams from The Ammo Box during a gun show at the KCI Expo Center.

Manning, Williams, and Chaelyn Hendrick Groves were charged in separate federal criminal complaints, with allegations focusing on illegal straw purchases and trafficking of firearms, rather than involvement in the shooting itself.

Manning, not a licensed federal firearms dealer, allegedly purchased dozens of firearms, some of which were recovered in possession of individuals prohibited from owning firearms. Williams and Groves were charged with conspiracy to make false statements in the acquisition of firearms, with Williams aiding Groves, who was under 21 years old, in purchasing a firearm receiver.

The investigation was a joint effort by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The charges are accusations, and guilt or innocence will be determined by a federal trial jury.

These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by uniting law enforcement and communities.