Lonnie Oxendine, a 22-year-old male, was fatally shot on Sunday, January 31, 2021, in downtown Lexington, Kentucky. The incident occurred around 5:15 p.m. in the outdoor area between the City Center and the Lexington Marriott. Police arrived to find Oxendine with life-threatening injuries, and he was transported to the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital, where he later died.
The events leading to the shooting began the previous night at a party hosted by Jacouri Burns, a promoter,
at Manchester Music Hall. Oxendine, an aspiring rapper known as 'ATM Grinda,' had paid $900 for a VIP section and the opportunity to perform. When the event was shut down before he could perform, a dispute arose over the money. Oxendine allegedly confronted Burns, demanding a refund and making threats. The following day, the conflict escalated when the two encountered each other outside the City Center, where Oxendine was reportedly filming a music video. An altercation ensued, during which Oxendine punched Burns.
Jacouri Burns, then 26 years old, was arrested in connection with the shooting. In court, Burns admitted to shooting Oxendine but claimed he acted in self-defense, stating he feared for his life. He testified that Oxendine had threatened him and that he believed Oxendine was instructing someone to shoot him during their final confrontation. The prosecution argued that Burns was not justified in using deadly force, characterizing the situation as bringing a 'gun to a fist fight.'
In June 2022, a Fayette County jury deliberated for two hours before finding Jacouri Burns not guilty of murder and second-degree assault. The jury concluded that Burns was justified in his actions. Following the verdict, a dispute broke out between the families of Oxendine and Burns outside the courthouse, resulting in minor injuries and a report of a gunshot being fired into the air from a vehicle. No arrests were made in immediate connection to the post-verdict altercation.
