In the late hours of September 18, 2020, the life of 19-year-old Kenneth Alexander Wright, III, a Black male, was tragically cut short in Springfield, Missouri. An evening that began at a party ended in a fatal confrontation in the parking lot of an apartment complex located at 414 E. Harrison.
Following the party, an argument erupted between Wright and two other individuals. The dispute escalated, and amidst the heated exchange, Kenneth Wright was fatally shot.
Witnesses at the scene reported hearing the argument and seeing the events that led to the shooting.
The investigation into Wright's death led to the identification of two suspects: Darryl Thomas and Lencorya Grady Jr. Thomas was apprehended and initially charged with second-degree murder. In a later development, he reached a plea agreement with prosecutors. Thomas pleaded guilty to first-degree assault, armed criminal action, and unlawful possession of a weapon. He was subsequently sentenced to 18 years in prison.
The second suspect, Lencorya Grady Jr., also known by the nickname "Man Man," was identified by witnesses as the individual who shot Wright. A warrant was issued for his arrest on the charge of second-degree murder. At the time of the reports, Grady remained at large, and it was believed he might have fled to the Kansas City area where he had family connections.
