On the evening of January 22, 2015, Ronald Ray Hudson, a 33-year-old male, was shot and killed at his home on Hands Pike in South Covington, Kentucky. The incident that led to his death began as a planned drug deal that quickly escalated into a violent robbery. Hudson was a father to three children, one of whom, his 9-year-old son, tragically witnessed the fatal events unfold.
Two men, Simeon McKinnie, 20, and Delaun Hayes, 21, were brought to Hudson's residence by acquaintances with the
intention of purchasing a half-pound of marijuana. However, the transaction was a ruse orchestrated by McKinnie, who had planned to rob Hudson with Hayes's assistance. A third individual, Charles Knox, served as the getaway driver. When Hudson presented the marijuana in the garage of his home, both McKinnie and Hayes brandished firearms.
A friend of Hudson's, David Abney, who was also present, attempted to intervene by wrestling a gun away from Hayes. In the ensuing struggle, Hayes fired at least one shot, and McKinnie began shooting as well. Hudson was struck by three bullets, one of which proved to be fatal, hitting his back and severing a major vein. Despite his injuries, he managed to climb the stairs to his living area before collapsing on a back deck, where he died. Abney was shot four times but survived his injuries. Another man in the garage, Matthew Bowling, escaped unharmed.
Responding officers found Hudson deceased and Abney wounded, along with shell casings from two different firearms at the scene. The investigation quickly identified McKinnie and Hayes as the primary suspects. Delaun Hayes surrendered to the police a couple of days after the shooting. Simeon McKinnie, who initially fled, was also apprehended. During his trial, a Kenton County jury found McKinnie guilty of first-degree manslaughter, first-degree assault, and two counts of first-degree robbery. He was subsequently sentenced to 55 years in prison. Delaun Hayes and Charles Knox were also indicted on charges of murder, first-degree assault, and first-degree robbery for their roles in the deadly encounter.
