In the early hours of a summer Saturday in Albany, New York, the life of 31-year-old Kahlil Barnes was cut short by gunfire. On July 14, 2018, at approximately 12:30 a.m., police responded to reports of shots fired at the intersection of Quail and First streets. Arriving at the scene, officers discovered Barnes inside his car, bleeding from gunshot wounds. Paramedics rendered aid and transported him to Albany Medical Center, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The male victim’s death was one of several homicides that year in what was becoming an increasingly violent summer for the city.
The investigation into Barnes's death soon focused on a suspect with a history of criminal activity. In November 2018, Albany police arrested 23-year-old Neshad Grady, also known as 'Moo Moo,' in connection with the murder. Grady was indicted on charges of second-degree murder and two counts of weapon possession. Authorities alleged that Grady shot and killed Barnes in a retaliatory act of gang violence. Barnes had a past affiliation with the Jungle Junkies street gang, and his death was believed to be retribution for the killing of Elijah Cancer, a member of the rival Original Gangsta Killers gang, just a week prior. It was noted, however, that Barnes was not a suspect in Cancer's death.
Following his arrest, Neshad Grady was offered a plea deal that would have required him to plead guilty to first-degree manslaughter in exchange for a 22-year prison sentence, but he rejected the offer. His case proceeded to trial, and in August 2019, a jury found him guilty of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Grady faced a potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison. His sentencing was initially scheduled for October 2019 but was postponed after he expressed a desire to fire his attorney.
