In the early morning hours of July 22, 2017, the life of 29-year-old Charles Shryock was tragically cut short on the streets of Lexington, Kentucky. Shryock was fatally shot near the intersection of East Third Street and Race Street in what authorities have described as a robbery gone wrong. Police responded to a call about a disorder with a weapon at approximately 5:35 a.m. and found Shryock on East Second Street.
He was transported to the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital, where he was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound at 6:16 a.m.
The investigation into the shooting revealed a harrowing sequence of events. A group of individuals had targeted a residence on Race Street for a robbery. During the commission of this crime, gunfire erupted and spilled outside. It is believed that Charles Shryock was an innocent bystander, caught in the crossfire of the violent act.
The Lexington Police Department's investigation led to the identification and arrest of five individuals in connection with the robbery and Shryock's death. The suspects were identified as Marvell Lacy, Jemel Barber, Malik Moore, Alissa Mitchell, and Garren Anderson. The subsequent legal proceedings brought some of those involved to justice. Marvell Lacy pleaded guilty to a number of charges, including complicity to manslaughter and attempted murder, and was sentenced to 23 years in prison. Jemel Barber also accepted a plea deal, facing a 30-year sentence for charges including first-degree complicity to manslaughter and attempted murder.
Malik Moore pleaded guilty to charges of complicity to robbery, criminal facilitation to robbery, and burglary, receiving a probated sentence. Alissa Mitchell also entered a guilty plea, though her sentencing was delayed. The case against the fifth suspect, Garren Anderson, remained pending. The investigation revealed that some of the suspects were also tied to other crimes in the area.
