Kansas City man charged in Status Nightclub shooting that killed two women

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A Kansas City man is behind bars, charged with two counts of second-degree murder in connection with a weekend shooting at Status Nightclub on Southwest Blvd. that left two women dead and two others hurt.

Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced Feb. 17 that Dontae M. Brooks faces two counts of second-degree murder, four counts of armed criminal action, one count of first-degree assault, one count of second-degree assault, one count of unlawful use of a weapon, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm.

According to court records, Kansas City police responded to the Status Nightclub on Feb. 15 after reports of a shooting. Officers found two women shot. One was pronounced dead at the scene, the second died at a nearby hospital. A man was shot in the face and chest and taken to the hospital, where he is in stable condition. Another woman was shot in the leg and is recovering.

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Surveillance video from inside the crowded nightclub shows Brooks entering while wearing a red baseball cap with a capital ‘A’ on the front. The footage captured an unknown man whispering to Brooks shortly before he opened fire on another man dancing nearby.

As club-goers scattered, Brooks attempted to run but fell, knocking the cap he was wearing to the ground. He jumped up and ran from the scene, leaving the cap behind. DNA evidence from that hat matched Brooks, already in the system.

A Jackson County judge set Brooks’ bond at $200,000 cash only.

“Every person who walks into a nightclub, restaurant, concert, anywhere, deserves to make it home safely,” Johnson said in a statement. “Because of the alleged senseless and reckless decisions of one individual, two women did not make it home to their families and friends Sunday morning.”

Johnson said her office continues reviewing evidence and exploring all avenues to hold anyone who had a role in the shooting accountable.

“We will stand for the victims and pursue justice on their behalf, while working with law enforcement, elected officials, and community leaders to ensure a tragedy like this does not happen again,” she said.

A Kansas City spokesperson said the city is investigating both Blvd Nights and Club Status. It will determine if Club Status had the proper licenses to operate. If they did not, investigators said their business licenses may be suspended or revoked.

Anti-violence activist Troy Robinson questioned how Brooks allegedly got a gun inside the club.

“I’ve been in this club before, thorough pat-downs. There’s no way you could get a gun in there. So, who is the security guard?” Robinson said.

Robinson put up a poster that hangs by the memorial for Silas and Ballard. He says he wants answers for their families.

“If we don’t do nothing now, we failed our kids,” Robinson said.

David Botello, who lives nearby, said the arrest is positive, but more needs to be done.

“That’s great if they got somebody they can hold responsible for this. But I don’t think that’s the end of it,” Botello said.

Botello said the area has experienced ongoing problems.

“It’s been a lot of trouble. And you usually hear gunfire at night when the place closes,” he said. “Everybody knows some of them kids are armed and they’re very dangerous. And this time, they shot their guns inside rather than outside. So very tragic. Very sad.”

KCPD told KCTV5 that they’ve had 18 calls to the address of the club since 2023.

The club did not respond to requests for comment.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Kansas City police. Anonymous tips can be submitted to the Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477 or online at KCCrimeStoppers.com