Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, who previously supported defunding police efforts, is now pushing to "increase patrols in areas reeling from ongoing criminal behavior" after the deadly shooting of a popular chef left the community reeling.

Shaun Brady, a 44-year-old Irish immigrant, was shot dead outside the restaurant he owned Aug. 28 just after 5 p.m, police said.

"Preliminary investigation revealed the victim was taking out trash when he observed multiple subjects by a vehicle," Kansas City Police told Fox News Digital . "An interaction between the victim and subjects occurred that led to the victim being shot."

"Like many in our community, I am heartbroken to learn of the death of Shaun Brady. I have met him, laughed with him, heard just a bit of his and his family's story and was inspired by the business and the community he was building in Kansas City. I grieve for and express my sincerest condolences to his family and all who knew him," Lucas said in a statement . 

Lucas, who in 2022 sued the state of Missouri over a new law that required the city to increase funding for its police department, is now calling for a need to increase the presence of police.