On October 6, 2019, 37-year-old African American resident Rayford Eugene Reed Jr. was fatally shot in Kansas City, Missouri. The incident occurred late that Sunday evening when Reed traveled to a rental property he owned and managed near 29th Street and Askew Avenue. He had gone to the residence to speak with the occupants, including a man identified as Eric Conaway, also known by the nickname 'Sleeze,' who had been staying at the home with a woman and a child.
Witnesses reported that
the situation escalated quickly upon Reed's arrival. According to court documents, Conaway appeared distraught over the recent death of his child. When Reed arrived, Conaway reportedly emerged from the house screaming questions about whether his baby was dead. The two men then entered the residence, where a heated verbal altercation ensued. A witness outside heard the argument intensify, followed by the sound of gunshots. Moments later, Reed stumbled out of the house suffering from gunshot wounds. He attempted to drive himself to the hospital in his truck but was unable to operate the vehicle due to his injuries. A witness ultimately transported him to Truman Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his wounds.
Investigation into the homicide revealed chilling evidence recorded on the victim's mother's phone. She had missed two calls from a number associated with Conaway around the time of the shooting. A voicemail left during one of these calls captured the sounds of the confrontation. In the recording, Reed could be heard begging for his life, while another voice told him, 'You ain't got to do this,' interspersed with the sound of gunfire. Reed's mother later told detectives she had previously urged her son to remove Conaway from the property.
In late February 2020, authorities formally charged Eric Conaway with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with Reed's death. When questioned by police, Conaway denied speaking to Reed on the day of the shooting and claimed he had only been at the house to help his girlfriend move out. Despite his denial, phone records and witness accounts placed him at the scene during the dispute. Prosecutors requested a $200,000 bond following the filing of charges.
