Irish community mourns after Kansas City chef is shot, killed

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The metro Irish community is mourning the sudden loss of a prominent chef and Kansas City restaurant owner who was shot and killed on Wednesday night.

Shaun Brady, 44, died after a shooting that happened around 5:15 p.m., near 63rd and Rockhill Road. Kansas City police say they found him shot behind a restaurant. Emergency responders took Brady to a hospital, but he died from his injuries.

Investigators say he was taking out trash when he saw a group of people by a vehicle. Police say witnesses told them Brady was trying to stop someone from breaking into the vehicle when he was shot.

He owned Brady & Fox, and was a big part of KC Irish Fest , which begins this weekend.

One of Brady’s friends told FOX4 on Wednesday night that he and others are trying to come to grips with what happened.

“He was a really beloved figure in our community. He was a native of Tipperary in Ireland and just a generous do anything for anybody kind of guy. A lot of us are just stunned, crying, angry, wondering why? What for?” friend Pat O’Neill said.

Many in the Brookside and Waldo neighborhoods say property crimes like this have been escalating over the past few weeks where numerous incidents have been reported. In some instances, suspects were carrying guns and pointed them at people .

Last week, KCPD said officers arrested two juvenile suspects in crimes that fit the same pattern, but it’s too early to say whether this shooting is connected to those ongoing investigations.

Overnight, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas posted on his Facebook page that numerous business owners in Brookside, Waldo and along the Prospect corridor have expressed serious concerns about the rise in property and nuisance crimes plaguing their stores, parking lots, and their customers.

He proposed solutions like returning to KCPD policy of arresting for all state, local and ordinance violations. He also acknowledged staffing challenges the department faces, and the city’s need to expand its detention center capacity at jails and juvenile detention facilities.

He also included youth engagement, access to mental health services and additional security measures to cut at the crime problem.

Brady was featured on FOX4 many times to promote Irish food for St. Patrick’s Day and the KC Irish Fest. The Irish Fest board called an emergency meeting Wednesday night and released this statement:

“The Kansas City Irish Fest mourns the loss of our dear friend Shaun, tragically taken from us too soon. His extraordinary culinary gifts and easy Irish charm made his table the favorite gathering place of Kansas City’s Irish community. He will be sorely missed.”

The board described Brady as a large part of the KC Irish Fest family, head chef and creator of the Kansas City Irish Breakfast , which happens after the mass on Sunday during the Labor Day weekend’s festival. The board announced this year’s breakfast is canceled to give those who knew and loved Brady a chance to gather and remember him.

In addition to his work as a chef and involvement with the local Irish community, Brady was also a father of two young children.

FOX4 will continue to ask questions about the status of this investigation and post more information about any memorials dedicated in Brady’s honor.

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