Kenneth E. Evans, a 58-year-old African American male from Youngstown, OH, tragically passed away on May 7, 2016. He was found shot in the stomach around 10 p.m. on May 6, 2016, in the 1900 block of Manhattan Avenue and succumbed to his injuries a few hours later at St. Elizabeth Health Center. The incident was later determined to be a result of an argument over a woman.
Following the incident, Bernard Barnes, a 57-year-old resident of Youngstown, was arrested and indicted on charges of
aggravated murder and discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises. Barnes was taken into custody without incident at a home on West LaClede Avenue shortly after Evans was found. In November 2017, Barnes took a plea deal and pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, receiving an eight-year prison sentence.
The case drew significant attention in Youngstown, with the Mahoning County grand jury indicting 36 individuals on various charges related to the incident. The community was deeply affected by the loss of Evans, who was remembered fondly by his family and friends.
Evans, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam Era and worked as a forklift operator, was known for his love of music, movies, and working on automobiles. He is survived by his wife, LaWanda, three children, and several other family members.
The tragic death of Kenneth E. Evans and the subsequent legal proceedings highlighted the impact of violence and the importance of community and family support in times of grief.
