Lino Cerafin Shepard, a 21-year-old Hispanic male, was fatally shot on November 5, 2020, in an apartment in a complex near Tacoma, Washington. The incident occurred in the 2400 block of 100th Street Court South, where Shepard was visiting his sister's fiancé. Also present was Xavier Black, a 27-year-old acquaintance of the fiancé.
According to charging documents, the atmosphere grew tense as Shepard was reportedly "mean mugging" Black.
In an attempt to de-escalate the situation, the man engaged to Shepard's sister tried to intervene, but moments after he stepped into a bedroom, Black shot Shepard in the neck and chest. Shepard died at the scene. His sister later explained that her brother had schizophrenia and sometimes his blank stare could be misinterpreted, though she doesn't believe that was the true reason for the shooting, suggesting instead that the shooter was paranoid and could have "snapped" on anyone.
Following the shooting, Xavier Black fled the apartment. He was apprehended later the same day at another apartment complex in Steilacoom, about six miles away, after a brief standoff with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department. Black was subsequently charged with second-degree murder and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. He initially entered a not-guilty plea.
In May 2022, Xavier Black, then 29, pleaded guilty to amended charges of first-degree manslaughter and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Black had a prior criminal history that included convictions for assault. Lino Shepard's family was present for the sentencing. His sister remembered him as a smart and funny person who was just beginning to live his life and would do anything to ensure his family's happiness.
