In the late hours of a November evening, a senseless act of violence irrevocably altered the lives of a Springfield, Missouri family. Zachary James Zumwalt, a 28-year-old male, was fatally shot on November 21, 2017, while sitting in his car in the parking lot of a McDonald's on West Kearney Street. He had been using the restaurant's wireless internet when he was struck by a stray bullet. Springfield police responded to a 911 call around midnight and found Zumwalt with a serious gunshot wound.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation revealed that Zachary Zumwalt was not the intended target of the shooting. The man responsible, Richard Gaines, had become upset and indiscriminately fired his gun in the direction of the restaurant. Gaines' reckless actions resulted in the unintended death of Zumwalt, who was described by his family as a loving stepfather, a caring son, and a protective brother. His family's grief was palpable during the subsequent court proceedings, where they wore matching t-shirts bearing his image to honor his memory.
Richard Gaines was later apprehended and faced criminal charges for his actions. Initially charged with second-degree murder, Gaines eventually pleaded guilty to the lesser charges of unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action. As a result of his plea agreement, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison. During the hearing, Gaines directly addressed Zumwalt's family, expressing that he never intended for the tragedy to occur. In addition to the criminal case, a civil lawsuit was filed against McDonald's by Zumwalt's mother, alleging that inadequate security measures at the restaurant contributed to the fatal incident.
