The life of 37-year-old Anthony Kareem Nutridge, a Black / African American male, was claimed in a violent confrontation on September 30, 2015, in Greenville, South Carolina. Police responded to the Dolphin Apartments located on North Franklin Road after reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, authorities discovered Nutridge in the stairwell of the apartment complex, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his leg and abdomen.
Despite the arrival of emergency services, the Greenville County Coroner’s Office later confirmed that he succumbed to these injuries. The investigation determined that the incident began when a group of armed and masked individuals forced a neighbor to knock on Nutridge's apartment door. When Nutridge opened the door, he was immediately assaulted and struck in the face with a pistol, sparking a physical struggle. During the chaos, Nutridge's brother attempted to intervene, leading to a shootout inside the residence before the assailants fled the scene.
Law enforcement officers canvassing the area located a suspect, identified as Timiya Rashad Massey, in a wooded area near the apartment complex. Massey, who was 27 years old at the time, was discovered with a gunshot wound to his leg, along with a bag of marijuana and a sum of cash. Investigators recovered masks and handguns left behind at the crime scene, and subsequent forensic analysis revealed that Massey's DNA was present on one of the discarded masks. Although Massey claimed he had gone to the apartment merely to sell marijuana and was shot during the altercation, authorities charged him with murder, attempted murder, first-degree burglary, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.
The legal proceedings culminated in a conviction for Massey, despite his defense that he was a victim caught in the crossfire. Prosecutors presented evidence linking him directly to the armed robbery attempt that turned deadly. While investigators noted that other individuals were likely involved in the attack, Massey was the primary defendant brought to justice in connection with the homicide. He was ultimately sentenced to 40 years in prison for his role in the crimes, including the murder of Nutridge and the attempted murder of his brother. Nutridge was later laid to rest following services at the Rock of Ages Baptist Church, survived by his father and three brothers.
