In the early hours of May 1, 2021, a dispute outside a downtown Sioux City bar tragically cut short the life of 22-year-old Martez Harrison, a Black male. The night began with an argument between Harrison and Lawrence Canady. Following their disagreement, Harrison called his girlfriend to pick him up. When she arrived, Canady assaulted her, inflicting injuries that required medical attention.
Harrison rushed to his girlfriend's defense, leading to a physical fight between him and Canady.
As the two men fought, a friend of Canady's, 17-year-old Dwight Evans, ran across the street and fired a warning shot. When Canady momentarily stepped back from Harrison, Evans approached and shot Harrison in the chest at close range. As Harrison lay wounded, Canady resumed his attack, kicking and punching him in the head. Harrison was transported to a local hospital where he later died.
Police quickly identified and arrested two suspects in connection with the killing. Dwight Evans, the suspected shooter, was charged with first-degree murder, assault while participating in a felony, going armed with intent, and drug counts. His accomplice, 20-year-old Lawrence Canady, faced charges including assault.
A Woodbury County jury found Dwight Evans guilty of first-degree murder and going armed with intent. Because he was a minor at the time of the crime, he was not subject to a mandatory life sentence without parole. Evans was sentenced to life in prison and will be eligible for parole after serving 20 years. Lawrence Canady was convicted of voluntary manslaughter, willful injury causing bodily injury, and serious assault for his role in Harrison's death and was sentenced to 16 years in prison. The judge also revoked Canady's probation from a previous shooting case, adding an additional five years to his sentence.
