Lavoris Jermaine Brown, a 42-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on August 23, 2018, in Hendersonville, North Carolina. The incident occurred at Sullivan Park, where a physical altercation between two women escalated into a chaotic scene. Brown's girlfriend was involved in the fight, and when Brown attempted to intervene, he was shot multiple times by Kenneth Mills, a 25-year-old male from Hendersonville.
The investigation revealed that Mills, also known as "City
Boi," discharged ten rounds from a semiautomatic handgun into the crowd, striking Brown six times and injuring a bystander. Despite the efforts of first responders, Brown succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Mills fled the scene but was apprehended four days later while traveling as a passenger in a car on Four Seasons Boulevard.
During the trial, Mills claimed self-defense, alleging that Brown was carrying a weapon and that he feared for his life and the life of his girlfriend. However, witnesses did not report seeing Brown with a weapon, and no weapon was found on or near his body. The jury deliberated for just over an hour before returning a unanimous guilty verdict for first-degree murder. Superior Court Judge William H. Coward sentenced Mills to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The case highlighted the swift and thorough response of the Hendersonville Police Department, who managed to secure a conviction despite the chaotic nature of the crime scene and the reluctance of many witnesses to come forward. The District Attorney's office commended the police for their diligence and unwavering commitment to finding the truth.
