An Independence, Missouri, woman who was originally charged with attempted murder in connection with a fatal shooting at an Olathe apartment complex pleaded guilty to two lesser felony charges as part of a plea deal in Johnson County District Court.
Toni M. Tyson entered her guilty plea on July 23, the Johnson County Post reported. She pleaded guilty to discharge of a firearm at an occupied dwelling with children under 14 present, a level 7 personal felony, and aggravated endangering a child, a level 9 personal felony. In exchange, prosecutors dropped charges of attempted first-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.
Tyson's boyfriend, Eduardo E. Portillo, 28, of Independence, was killed in the Feb. 4, 2025, shooting at Wingfield Apartments in the 15900 block of West 127th Street.
How the shooting unfolded
According to Johnson County court records, Tyson, her young son and Portillo were visiting friends at the apartment complex on Feb. 4, 2025. While there, Tyson's vehicle was towed. She called 911 to report it stolen and blamed one of the friends for the tow. The situation escalated until the friends asked the group to leave.
Video from inside the apartment and Snapchat posts obtained by Olathe Police showed Tyson yelling at the friends and saying someone should "pop them," meaning shoot them. Tyson later told police she knew Portillo was armed.
As the group backed down the staircase, Portillo pulled a 9mm handgun, banged it against the staircase and fired four times while holding Tyson's son. Three shots hit the ground. One of the friends returned fire three or four times, later saying they did not realize Portillo was holding the child. At least three rounds struck Portillo.
Tyson then grabbed Portillo's gun, walked back toward the building and fired one shot at one of the people involved. She returned toward the friends' apartment a second time and raised the gun in the direction of the person who had shot Portillo but did not fire. She threw the handgun in a dumpster.
Portillo carried the child about 100 to 150 feet from the staircase, set him down and collapsed. Olathe Police arrived at approximately 10:15 p.m. and found Portillo on the sidewalk with gunshot wounds. He was transported to Overland Park Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
No one else was charged in the shooting.
What's next
Judge Michael P. Joyce is presiding over the case. Under Kansas sentencing guidelines, a level 7 personal felony carries a range of roughly 11 to 34 months, while a level 9 carries 5 to 17 months. Most offenses at those severity levels presume probation rather than prison, though the judge retains discretion.
Tyson also faces a bench trial the same day on separate misdemeanor charges including endangering a child, driving while suspended, driving without insurance and failure to yield at a stop sign.
Sentencing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Oct. 16 in Johnson County District Court.
