On a tragic day in Syracuse, New York, Rayshonn D. Hester, a 35-year-old Black man, lost his life in a senseless act of violence. The incident, which occurred on June 3, 2018, cut short the life of a man known as a dedicated restoration specialist and a lifelong resident of the city.
In the early morning hours, Hester was asleep in his vehicle on Erie Boulevard East when he became the target of a robbery.
Two men, later identified as Wendell Griffin and Joshua Wright, approached the vehicle with the intent to rob him. The encounter quickly escalated, and Hester was fatally shot in the back of the head. The Syracuse Police Department launched an immediate and thorough investigation into the homicide.
The investigation led to the identification of Wendell Griffin as a primary suspect. An active warrant was issued for his arrest on charges of second-degree murder and first-degree robbery. Law enforcement described him as armed and dangerous and sought the public's help in locating him. Griffin was eventually captured, tried, and convicted by a jury for his role in the crime. He was found guilty of second-degree murder and two counts of first-degree robbery. His subsequent appeal of the conviction was denied.
Further investigation and legal proceedings also led to the conviction of his accomplice, Joshua Wright. In a separate proceeding, Wright was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for first-degree murder. During his sentencing, Hester's stepmother delivered a poignant impact statement, expressing the profound loss and devastation their family has endured. She spoke of the man her stepson was, acknowledging his struggles but emphasizing his inherent goodness.
