Latray Wright, a 16-year-old African American male, was tragically killed on October 23, 2014, in Lockport Township, Illinois. The incident occurred in the afternoon as Latray and a 17-year-old friend were walking near Princeton and Fairmont Avenues. A blue vehicle approached them, and an occupant opened fire. Latray attempted to flee but was struck by the gunfire and succumbed to his injuries. He was initially taken to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox and later airlifted to another hospital, where he was pronounced dead the following morning.
The investigation quickly identified Christopher Stamps, also 16 years old, as the primary suspect. Both Latray and Stamps were members of different factions of the same gang, and the motive for the shooting was believed to be related to a rivalry that had escalated on social media, particularly Facebook. Stamps was arrested two days after the shooting and charged with two counts of murder. He was held on a $3 million bond at the River Valley Juvenile Detention Center and was later transferred to the Will County Adult Detention Center when he turned 18.
In 2018, Stamps reached a plea agreement, pleading guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with credit for time already served. This plea deal included provisions for good behavior, which could significantly reduce his time in prison. The case highlighted the tragic consequences of gang violence and the impact of social media on escalating conflicts among youth.
