On July 20, 2025, 35-year-old male Byron A. Garrett and his younger brother were fatally shot during an altercation at a convenience store in Kansas City, Missouri. The incident occurred in the afternoon at a gas station located near East Truman Road and Brooklyn Avenue. According to reports, the confrontation may have begun as a road rage incident before escalating at the business.
Byron and his 32-year-old brother, Taylor Garrett, arrived at the station where they encountered 27-year-old Emanuel Hernandez.
Surveillance footage and witness accounts provided to investigators detailed a physical altercation between the men. Reports indicate that Taylor Garrett struck Hernandez outside the store near the gas pumps. Hernandez then followed the brothers inside the convenience store, where a second physical confrontation took place, with Taylor allegedly striking Hernandez again. Hernandez subsequently drew a firearm and discharged it, striking both brothers. Video evidence reportedly showed that Hernandez continued to fire at the men as they attempted to retreat and while they were on the ground. Additional details from the investigation allege that Hernandez struck Byron in the face with his weapon after the shooting. Both brothers were pronounced dead at the scene.
Emanuel Hernandez was taken into custody and prosecutors in Jackson County charged him with one count of voluntary manslaughter and one count of armed criminal action. Legal filings suggested the charges were filed specifically in relation to the death of one of the victims, with prosecutors citing Missouri’s self-defense laws, including 'Stand Your Ground' provisions, as a complicating factor for charges regarding the initial aggressor. The decision to pursue manslaughter rather than murder charges drew significant criticism from the Garrett family and community advocates, who argued the use of force—particularly shooting the men while they were down and the subsequent pistol-whipping—exceeded the bounds of self-defense. In August 2025, a grand jury indicted Hernandez, who was later released on bond while awaiting trial.
