On March 28, 2015, 12-year-old Rayshone "Boss" Humphrey Jr., an African American male from Quincy, Illinois, was tragically shot and killed. The incident occurred around 1 a.m. in the 1100 block of North 5th Street. Upon arrival, police found Rayshone with a gunshot wound to the head; he was transported to Blessing Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after. Authorities treated the case as a homicide and emphasized that it did not appear to be a random act.
Rayshone was a seventh-grade student at Quincy Junior High School, known for his leadership among peers. He was active in track and football, had a passion for electronics and technology, and enjoyed making music and rapping. His untimely death deeply affected the local community, prompting an outpouring of support for his family.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Quincy police launched an investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible. On May 10, 2015, authorities announced the arrest of 20-year-old Steson Crider in connection with Rayshone's death. Crider was apprehended in Arizona and charged with first-degree murder. Additionally, Stefan Crider II and his wife, Julia, were arrested in Springfield, Illinois, each facing four counts of conspiracy to obstruct justice. A warrant was also issued for Stefan Crider III on similar charges, though he remained at large at that time.
The legal proceedings culminated on October 26, 2015, when a jury found Steson Crider guilty of first-degree murder after a 10-day trial. The jury deliberated for approximately an hour and a half before reaching the verdict. Following the conviction, Crider faced a potential sentence of up to 80 years in prison, with an additional 25 years possible for the discharge of an illegal firearm. Sentencing was scheduled for December 21, 2015.
The arrests and subsequent conviction provided a measure of justice for Rayshone's family and the Quincy community, who had been deeply shaken by the senseless loss of the young African American boy.
