On January 30, 2023, at approximately 11:53 p.m., Wilkes-Barre City Police responded to reports of gunfire near Coal Street and Logan Court. Upon arrival, they discovered 22-year-old Elijah "Lee" Rivers suffering from a gunshot wound on North Meade Street. Despite immediate medical attention and transport to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Rivers succumbed to his injuries. An autopsy confirmed that he died from a gunshot wound to the chest, and his death was ruled a homicide.
Investigations revealed that Rivers' death resulted from an ongoing dispute with another group. Surveillance footage and witness testimonies led authorities to identify three suspects: 27-year-old Yuamir S. Grayson and 26-year-old Breanna Marie Knight, both from Wilkes-Barre, and 19-year-old Kadeen Karon Carruth from Hazleton. According to court records, Knight drove Grayson and Carruth to North Meade Street in a white Ford Focus. Upon Rivers' arrival, Grayson and Carruth allegedly exited the vehicle and fired multiple shots at him before fleeing the scene with Knight. Witnesses later reported that Knight expressed regret, stating they had targeted the wrong individual.
All three suspects were charged with criminal homicide and related offenses. Grayson and Knight were arrested and held without bail at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility, while Carruth was already incarcerated on unrelated charges. In subsequent court proceedings, all three pleaded not guilty. As of October 2024, their combined homicide trial has been continued indefinitely, with discussions of possible plea agreements underway. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for November 8, 2024.
The case has garnered significant attention in the Wilkes-Barre community, highlighting concerns over gun violence and the impact of personal disputes escalating to fatal outcomes. Authorities continue to urge anyone with additional information to come forward to assist in the ongoing legal proceedings.
