In the late hours of an October evening in Kansas City, Missouri, a burst of gunfire shattered the night, forever altering the lives of two young men. Cortez Nash, a 20-year-old male, was walking with a friend near 68th and Olive streets on October 8, 2019, when they were targeted in a drive-by shooting. The shots erupted from a red sedan, striking both Nash and his 19-year-old companion.
Responding to a call about the shooting, Kansas City police officers initially found Nash's friend
behind a house, suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg. As they rendered aid, their attention was drawn to the front of the residence by the sound of screams. There, they discovered a woman who had found Nash's grievously wounded body. Both victims were rushed to a nearby hospital, but Cortez Nash's injuries proved to be life-threatening, and he succumbed to them shortly after arrival.
The investigation into the homicide quickly pointed to a prior conflict. According to court records, one of the suspects, Larry G. Baker, had sent a message to Nash earlier, warning him to stay away from a particular neighborhood. This ominous message preceded the fatal encounter. A witness later described to investigators how Baker, along with Armani F. Elder and a juvenile, had all fired weapons at Nash and his friend.
Following the shooting, the investigation led police to 19-year-old Armani F. Elder and 18-year-old Larry G. Baker. Officers found weapons on both suspects, and the shell casings from one of the firearms matched those recovered at the scene of the crime. Additionally, police observed Baker driving a red Dodge, matching the description of the vehicle used in the shooting. Both Elder and Baker were taken into custody.
In November 2019, the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office announced charges against both men. Armani F. Elder and Larry G. Baker were each charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and two counts of armed criminal action for their roles in the shooting that ended Cortez Nash's life and wounded another. Prosecutors requested a bond of $250,000 for each defendant.
