In the summer heat of July 26, 2020, Nicholas Alan Blue, a 40-year-old Black / African American man, was at his job at an AutoZone on South Oliver in Wichita, Kansas. A kind soul with a love for sports and a dream of a career in criminal justice, he had recently been promoted to manager. Blue was known for his infectious love and was a friend to everyone he met, a man with a "heart of gold" who was always ready with a smile.
He lived with his mother and was a supportive presence in their home.
On that Sunday evening, around 9 p.m., while the store was still open for business, a young man, heavily clothed for the warm weather and wearing a mask, entered the auto parts store. Two other employees were present, but there were no customers at the time. The man, identified as 18-year-old Lamontae D. Lucas, approached the counter, pulled out a handgun, and fired, striking Blue in the head. Lucas then fled the scene, leaving Nicholas Blue to die.
The investigation into the senseless killing was swift. Wichita police released a surveillance photo of the suspect, which showed him in a distinctive stars-and-stripes patterned hoodie. A crucial breakthrough came from a citizen's tip. A family had seen a man matching the suspect's description, struggling to run in the heavy clothing, get into a green Kia Soul on the night of the murder. This tip led investigators to the vehicle and ultimately to Lucas. He was arrested just two days after the shooting.
Lamontae D. Lucas was charged with second-degree intentional murder and three counts of attempted aggravated robbery. In court, he offered an apology, claiming the shooting was an accident and that he "didn't mean for this to happen." However, Blue's family did not accept this apology as a sign of remorse. Lucas eventually pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 22 years and three months in prison.
