In the summer of 2020, the life of 26-year-old Matthew Bland-Williams was tragically cut short in Independence, Missouri. On the evening of July 23rd, police responded to a call of a shooting in the 18800 block of East Wigwam Place just before 6:30 p.m. Upon their arrival, they discovered Matthew Bland-Williams in front of a residence, suffering from gunshot wounds. He was quickly transported to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after.
His mother, Pamela Bland, described him as a 'funny and loving' young man who was an entrepreneur with the potential to become anything he set his mind to.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led police to a suspect, Arieous K. Walton-Merritt, who was 23 years old at the time and from Lee's Summit. Walton-Merritt was also found at a nearby home with gunshot wounds. Detectives were able to piece together the events of that evening with the help of surveillance footage from a neighboring house. The video showed Walton-Merritt firing a gun twice before a physical struggle ensued between him and Bland-Williams. During the altercation, Bland-Williams managed to take the gun and fired at Walton-Merritt as he attempted to flee the scene in a Chevrolet Camaro.
Following the investigation, Arieous K. Walton-Merritt was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with the death of Matthew Bland-Williams. The case went to trial, and in May 2021, a Jackson County jury convicted Walton-Merritt of the lesser charges of involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action. Subsequently, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the fatal shooting.
