Lawsuit accuses KCPD officers of excessive use of force after triple shooting leaves two people dead

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (KCTV) – A new charge has been filed against a Kansas City police officer who has a criminal history of using excessive force after three people were shot, two of them killed.

On Friday, June 28, court records revealed that a new lawsuit had been filed against Blayne Newton, a Kansas City, Missouri police officer, following a triple shooting in 2023.

On June 9, 2023, at approximately 8:55 p.m., court documents noted that KCPD called for assistance in the area of ​​31st and Van Brunt Blvd. because dispatch reported shots fired in the area.

Officers responding to the call reported seeing an officer and five other people near a white van, three of whom had gunshot wounds. Two people were subsequently arrested.

According to court documents, both driver Kristen Fairchild, 42, and adult passenger Marcell T. Nelson, 42, died in the shooting. A teenager in the back seat was hit in the head but survived.

The Kansas City Law Enforcement Accountability Project said it was pleased with the steps taken to compensate Officer Newton’s victims.

“We stand with the families of Marcell Nelson, Jaden Thorns, Kristen Fairchild and others whose lives this officer destroyed without accountability from the Kansas City, Missouri, police department,” the attorneys said. “This is not the first time Officer Newton has killed someone, nor is it his first incident of excessive use of force.”

According to KCLEAP, the lawsuits won’t solve the violence problem within the department overnight, but they do bring to light a persistent lack of transparency and willingness to hold its own people accountable. Prosecutors have also been asked to take every incident to a grand jury.

“KCLEAP will continue to advocate for the families and support their work to achieve justice,” the organization continued. “Our thoughts are with them and our lives are forever intertwined. To further break this cycle of violence, we will continue to persistently raise awareness of local police brutality and support all victims in every way we can.”

Newton has already used force in a previous lawsuit filed in early 2024. That lawsuit alleges he used excessive force against Bermeeka Mitchell by twisting and tearing her arms and wrists as she complied with an arrest. At the time, he was working as an “off-duty officer” at Walmart.

On Friday evening, Kansas City Police told KCTV5 News that Officer Blayne remains employed with the patrol department. To ensure fairness, police do not comment on ongoing legal proceedings.

No further information has been released.

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