In the spring of 2016, the life of 18-year-old Skylar Powell was tragically cut short in Saint Joseph, Missouri. On the night of May 17th, a drug deal in a parking lot near 22nd and Frederick took a violent turn, resulting in Powell's shooting death. His body was discovered in a parking lot in the 2200 block of Colhoun Street on May 18, 2016. The young man, a recent graduate of Benton High School, was a resident of Saint Joseph at the time of his passing.
The investigation into the
homicide revealed a botched robbery attempt during a marijuana transaction. Authorities believe Powell was involved in an attempt to rob the individuals he was meeting for the drug deal. This led to a series of arrests and charges against multiple suspects. Ultimately, six individuals were implicated in the events surrounding Powell's death. The subsequent legal proceedings saw several of the accused enter guilty pleas to various charges.
In a courtroom filled with friends and family of both the victim and the defendants, sentences were handed down in December 2016. Gabriel Dawson, who was 17 at the time and described as a close friend of Powell, pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted robbery and was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Jay'Den Maynard, also 17, pleaded guilty to the same charge and received five years of probation after serving 120 days in jail. Ashten Surritte, 19, pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted robbery and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Others involved also faced consequences for their roles in the incident. Justin Smith, 20, was sentenced in October 2016 to 13 years in prison for his part in the shooting. Another defendant, Dayne Matthews, 19, pleaded guilty to distribution and tampering with physical evidence and was scheduled for sentencing in January 2017. The case brought to light the tragic consequences of a drug deal turned violent, forever altering the lives of all involved.
