Ahmad Rashad Laster Sr., a 36-year-old African American male, was tragically shot to death on September 19, 2017, in Palm Coast, Florida. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, around 4:00 a.m., when a neighbor heard a gunshot and found Laster lying in the driveway of a house on Parkview Drive, bleeding from a head wound. Despite being rushed to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Laster succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.
The investigation
quickly identified Clarence Murphy Jr., a 41-year-old African American male and Laster's cousin, as the primary suspect. Murphy was arrested later that day during a traffic stop. According to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, the motive behind the murder was a dispute over a drug transaction. Laster had given Murphy an EBT card, which was supposed to have $100 on it, in exchange for drugs. When Murphy discovered that the card did not have the agreed-upon amount, he confronted Laster, leading to an argument. During the altercation, Murphy shot Laster in the head.
Murphy was charged with first-degree murder but later pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The case was considered open-and-shut due to strong evidence, including surveillance footage showing the argument and the shooting, as well as a text message from Murphy to Laster accusing him of theft.
The murder of Ahmad Rashad Laster Sr. left his family devastated. His wife, Erica Laster, and their children were particularly affected by the loss. Family members expressed their grief and disbelief that such a tragic event could occur within their own family. The swift resolution of the case provided some measure of justice, but the emotional scars remain for those who loved Ahmad.
