Family and friends have been waging a campaign for justice for Denton Loudermill Jr., a young native of Olathe, KS. Those charges stemmed from the murder of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVIII victory parade victim on February 14th, 2024. All eyes are on the 2019 incident, bringing clarity to wrongful accusations. We all know that these fraudulent allegations can have a devastating impact on people’s lives.
As a lifelong fan, Loudermill was excited to attend the Chiefs championship victory parade, mingling with thousands of like-minded fans in a boisterous atmosphere. The day turned tragic when shots rang out, forcing attendees to scramble for safety in a horrifying panic. Law enforcement, believing Loudermill to be the shooter, quickly apprehended him at the scene.
Despite having a history of run-ins with the law, including several DUI-related incidents, Loudermill’s family insists that his past should not define him. In 2020, he was charged with felony DUI and driving on a suspended license. They claim that these issues do not relate to his participation in the parade shooting.
Following his detention, Loudermill went through what he calls an “emotional roller coaster”. The trauma of being falsely accused was such that it deeply affected his mental well-being. As a consequence, he said he lost nearly 25 pounds. Coming to terms with his internal battle, he started going to weekly counseling in March to help manage his declining mental health.
On April 10—just weeks before his tragic death—Loudermill wrote to his lawyer … In the midst of his despair, he described the weight of the situation—to him—it felt like it was all coming crashing down. He had an appointment scheduled for therapy the day after his death. This makes all the more real the urgency of his emotional plight.
His sister, LaRonna Lassiter Saunders, described Loudermill’s condition during this traumatic period. She painted him as oscillating between despair and optimism. This emotional rollercoaster was compounded as several lawsuits filed against the Department for his wrongful accusation continued to proceed.
“They picked a random individual, did not check their information and essentially ruined his life,” – LaRonna Lassiter Saunders
Loudermill would have turned 50 on June 8 and had plans to attend a festival in Kansas City later that month featuring his favorite rapper, Too Short. His family reflects on the complexity of his character, stating that he was not solely defined by his past actions.
“No one said Denton was an angel or didn’t have a past,” – LaRonna Lassiter Saunders
“But nobody knew Denton — these [politicians] did not know Denton. He didn’t have anything to do with that shooting,” – LaRonna Lassiter Saunders
Friends recalled Loudermil as a loud, flamboyant jokester who did everything he could to keep the mood light for those around him. Reba Paul remarked, “He was bigger than life, and he was literally everywhere.”
In May, family and friends set up a small, hastily arranged memorial service at Fairview Park in Olathe to remember the legacy Loudermill left behind. His life was the focus of a massive service, and there is agreement that he should not be remembered by the baseless charges that were aimed at him.
Loudermill’s last years were spent in turmoil as he struggled with the trauma of having been falsely charged. He lamented his situation, stating, “They got my face all over the news,” expressing frustration over how he was portrayed publicly.
“I’m just a light-skinned brother that was trying to enjoy my Chiefs,” – Denton Loudermill Jr. (via LaRonna Lassiter Saunders)
While the community still faces the consequences of this case, Loudermill’s family is still fighting for accountability. They are convinced that no person should have to suffer the stigma of false allegations, even if they have been previously convicted.
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