New Details Revealed in Trial Over Triple Fatal Shooting by KCPD Officer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – New details have been revealed in a chase involving a triple shooting that killed two people and seriously injured another at the hands of a Kansas City police officer.

A lawsuit filed Friday, June 28, by the families of Kristen Fairchild and Marcel Nelson, as well as Jaden Thorns, alleges that all three are victims of a triple shooting committed by Officer Blayne Newton of the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department. One of the plaintiffs resides in Kansas, another in Missouri, and three others are from the state of Texas.

Court documents indicated that just before 10:05 p.m. on June 9, 2023, Fairchild was driving a minivan with Nelson in the front passenger seat and Thorns in the rear passenger seat. While stopped at a red light at the intersection of E. 31st and Van Brunt Boulevard, Newton drove up behind the vehicle in his patrol vehicle and was confronted by an “armed disturbance.”

Newton claimed to have seen an individual in a van directly in front of Fairchild's van, holding a rifle on the driver's side. He asked the dispatcher to hold radio traffic while he loaded his charger and spotted the pickup truck in a “crooked” position.

When the light turned green, court records noted that Newton began to pursue the truck in the right lane, however, when he passed the van, he claimed Nelson pulled out a gun and began shooting.

At this point, records indicated that Newton fired his gun at Nelson, killing him and Fairchild. He also “injured” Thorn in the forehead. However, the people in the vehicle did not fire a weapon at Newton at any time. No evidence suggests anyone in the van knew Newton was at the scene and much of the incident was filmed.

The plaintiffs sued Officer Newton for the wrongful death of Fairchild in the form of battery because he recklessly and intentionally shot him multiple times. Unreasonable and deadly force was observed when no danger was present. A second wrongful death count was filed in the alternative as negligence.

The suit also claims wrongful death on Nelson's behalf while he was exercising his right of self-defense against the individual brandishing the rifle.

The final two counts in the suit seek assault and battery and negligence in altering Thorn's name as Newton. The officer shot him in the head when he posed no threat. He has since endured extensive medical treatment, expenses and permanent injuries.

Court documents concluded that the plaintiffs demanded that Newton face a jury trial for the murder of their loved ones. John Picerno of JP Law is expected to represent the plaintiffs.

In another ongoing trial, Newton has also been charged with assault, battery and unlawful confinement following an incident at the Walmart located at 8551 Boardwalk Ave. in Kansas City, Mo., 2022. He wore the KCPD uniform while on an off-duty mission. During another incident, the complainant, Bermeeka Mitchell, began filming the events and informed police that she had done so.

However, court records indicate that Newton attempted to arrest Mitchell after she attempted to gain access to Walmart property while she was filming the incident. During the arrest, he allegedly used excessive force, causing injuries to her foot, back, shoulders, wrists and arms. At no point during the incident did she resist arrest and her arrest was not justified.

As of June 19, Platte County Circuit Court records indicated officials were awaiting the return of a second request asking Newton to produce documents. Picerno also represents Mitchell in this case.

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