Shaun Brady, a respected member of the Irish community in Kansas City, Missouri, was fatally shot on the evening of Wednesday, August 28, 2024. Brady met his tragic end while attempting to thwart a car burglary near his restaurant, Brady & Fox Restaurant & Lounge, located in Brookside.

Brady, a 44-year-old chef known for his culinary prowess and active participation in the community, was disposing of the trash when he noticed a group of people around a parked car. Witnesses state that Brady confronted the group, suspecting they were trying to break into the car. This encounter escalated rapidly, resulting in Brady being shot.

Police reached the location shortly after the incident and found Brady unconscious with multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Officials informed “FOX4 Kansas City” that Brady had been shot while attempting to stop a car break-in.

Within an hour of the incident, authorities arrested two “juvenile male” suspects and also recovered the vehicle involved in the incident.

The Kansas City community has been deeply affected by Brady’s death, especially those who knew him as a devoted family man and a talented chef. He leaves behind a wife and two children. Brady’s friends and colleagues remember him as a diligent worker with a benevolent disposition, always ready to assist or share a joyous moment.

Organizers of the Kansas City Irish Fest, where Brady was a frequent participant and the initiator of the popular Irish Breakfast event, identified him as a beloved figure and a cornerstone of Kansas City’s Irish community. The festival issued a statement saying, “Shaun was not only a large part of the Kansas City Irish Fest Family, his restaurant was a place where many in the Irish community gathered. It was one of Shaun’s greatest gifts to bring people together with his culinary creations.”

In the aftermath of his death, the Irish Breakfast event at the Kansas City Irish Fest, scheduled for the upcoming weekend, was cancelled as a mark of respect and mourning.

Originally from Nenagh, County Tipperary, Ireland, Brady moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 2013 after a successful tenure as a restaurateur in Chicago, Illinois. He quickly became a vital part of the Kansas City community, through his restaurant and his participation in various cultural events. Brady & Fox Restaurant & Lounge, co-owned with fellow chef and friend Graham Farris, had become a Brookside neighborhood favorite, known for its welcoming ambiance and authentic Irish cuisine.

Brady’s tragic death marks the 102nd homicide in Kansas City this year. While this figure shows a decrease from the 133 homicides reported at the same time last year, it continues to alarm local residents and authorities.

Quinton Lucas, the Mayor of Kansas City, expressed his condolences on social media, describing Brady as “an inspiring business and community leader whose loss will be deeply felt.”

Security cameras in the vicinity reportedly captured the shooting, and the investigation is ongoing as police continue to gather more details. The community has been asked to assist with any information that could further the investigation. The TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477 can be contacted with any relevant information.

As Kansas City mourns the loss of Shaun Brady, tributes from both the US and Ireland have begun to pour in. Friends, fellow chefs, and customers have left flowers and messages outside Brady & Fox, while others have shared their memories of the beloved chef on social media. One of Brady’s close friends stated, “We are absolutely broken,” and further described Brady as the heart and soul of their community.

The Kansas City Irish Fest has established a memorial fund to support Brady’s wife and two children. Donations can be made via the festival’s official website, with organizers suggesting contributions equivalent to the cost of a ticket to the Irish Breakfast event that Brady so loved.

Brady’s contributions to Kansas City’s Irish community, his culinary legacy, and the warmth he shared will be remembered. As the community gathers to remember him, his memory will be kept alive through shared stories, enjoyable meals, and the relationships he helped foster.