In the historic town of Tombstone, Arizona, a place known for its reenactments of Wild West shootouts, a real-life tragedy unfolded in the summer of 2014. Leroy Colomy, a 74-year-old White/Caucasian male, was a beloved figure in the community. Known as 'Lightning Leroy' for his quick draw skills as a member of the Boothill Gunfighters, he had made Tombstone his home since 1993. For nearly two decades, he was a familiar face at the Bird Cage Theater, where he worked, eventually becoming the manager. His life, however, came to a violent and abrupt end on July 9, 2014.
On that Wednesday afternoon, in broad daylight, Colomy was shot multiple times in front of the iconic Bird Cage Theater on Allen Street. The man responsible for his death was 60-year-old Barry Lee Chappell, a fellow Tombstone resident. The motive behind the shooting stemmed from a bitter jealousy. Chappell had been stalking a woman who was in a relationship with Colomy. Believing Colomy was sexually assaulting his 'girlfriend,' Chappell confronted him. The argument escalated, and Chappell fatally shot Colomy.
Immediately following the shooting, Chappell walked to a nearby business on Allen Street and confessed to what he had done, asking the clerk to call the police. He was promptly arrested by the Tombstone Marshal's Office. Chappell later pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. During his sentencing, his defense attorney attributed his actions to a long history of drug abuse and methamphetamine addiction. Barry Lee Chappell was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Leroy Colomy, bringing a somber end to a story of obsession and violence in a town steeped in the lore of the Old West.
