In the quiet community of Island, Kentucky, the life of 22-year-old John Wayne Morris was cut tragically short on January 15, 2015. The young man, a resident of nearby Rumsey, sustained multiple gunshot wounds in an incident that would leave his family seeking answers and justice.
Following the shooting, the case was presented to a McLean County grand jury.
After reviewing the evidence brought before them, the grand jury declined to indict the individual responsible for the shooting, concluding that the actions were taken in self-defense.
However, details surrounding the official investigation have been met with questions and challenges from those close to Morris. A website dedicated to his memory, 'justice for john,' presents a different narrative. According to the site, an autopsy report revealed that Morris was shot 18 times, with 17 of those wounds located in his back. The website alleges that this crucial piece of information was not presented to the grand jury during their deliberation. The weapon used in the incident was identified on the site as a. 22 caliber high-powered semi-automatic assault rifle.
The 'justice for john' website also makes reference to a news article in the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, suggesting that the information provided to the newspaper by the McLean County prosecutor was inconsistent with the findings of the autopsy report. Despite efforts to locate this specific article and other detailed contemporary news reports, further information regarding the identity of the shooter or other suspects has not been publicly available.
John Wayne Morris was born on January 7, 1993, to Steven Wayne and Vonda Jean Love Morris. His obituary remembers him as a young man whose energy was contagious and whose life and smile brought joy to others. He is survived by his parents and other family members. The circumstances of his death continue to be a point of contention for his loved ones, who maintain that the full story of that January day has yet to be told. No arrests were made in connection with the death of John Morris.
