In the summer of 2016, the life of 29-year-old Patrick 'PJ' JaVon Gilbert was brought to a tragic and abrupt end in his hometown of Russellville, Kentucky. On the evening of July 24th, Gilbert was at a gathering on Edwards Avenue, engaged in a dice game with friends inside a small room. The mundane evening took a horrific turn when Gregory Q. Posey entered the room and opened fire, shooting Gilbert five times. Despite his grievous injuries, Gilbert managed to crawl outside, but his strength soon failed him, and he succumbed to his wounds at Logan Memorial Hospital shortly thereafter.
The motive for this violent act was deeply personal and stemmed from a volatile romantic entanglement. Posey was reportedly enraged that Gilbert was in a relationship with his ex-girlfriend, with whom Posey shared two children. The situation was further complicated by the fact that the woman was pregnant with Gilbert's child at the time of the shooting. In the period leading up to the fatal encounter, Posey had reportedly sent numerous threatening text messages and social media posts directed at Gilbert, foreshadowing the violence to come. Less than three months before the shooting, a distraught Posey had even contacted a local judge, expressing his agitation over the situation, though he did not specify his violent intentions at that time.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Russellville Police Department quickly identified Gregory 'Jap' Posey as a person of interest. Four days later, on July 28, Posey presented himself to the police and was subsequently arrested and charged with murder and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. The ensuing trial brought the full details of the animosity to light. The prosecution presented evidence of Posey's threats and the testimony of witnesses. Although the defense argued a lack of physical evidence, such as the murder weapon which was never recovered, the jury was convinced of his guilt. Gregory Q. Posey was convicted of the murder of Patrick Gilbert and sentenced to life in prison. His subsequent appeals were denied, with the Kentucky Supreme Court upholding the conviction.
