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 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 is scheduled for December 18. Both teenagers have been held in the Jackson County juvenile detention center since the evening of the deadly shooting.

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 weekend, was canceled 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.

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 poured 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.