In the quiet evening of December 21, 2017, a tragedy unfolded in Muskegon Heights, Michigan, that would cut short the life of 42-year-old Nathan Adriel Ward. A White / Caucasian male, Nathan was fatally shot in the 3300 block of Jefferson Street at approximately 9 p.m. After being shot inside a residence, he managed to flee across the street where he ultimately collapsed and succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into Nathan's death quickly led to a person of interest.
The day after the shooting, 21-year-old Masson Bryant turned himself into the authorities. Bryant was subsequently charged with open murder and a felony firearm offense in connection with Nathan's death. Court proceedings would later shed light on the harrowing moments that led to the fatal encounter. A witness testified that he and Nathan had gone to the residence to purchase cocaine. An altercation reportedly erupted during which Nathan pleaded for his life, stating he had a family and children. Though drugs were found at the scene, Nathan's fiancée expressed her belief that the shooting was not the result of a drug deal gone wrong, suggesting he was likely there accompanying a friend.
In the wake of the tragic event, those who knew Nathan remembered him as a beloved father and fiancé who was actively turning his life around. He had a passion for helping others and was on the verge of opening a metal fabrication business with the goal of providing employment opportunities to individuals with troubled pasts. His family acknowledged his past struggles but emphasized that he was a changed man dedicated to making a positive impact.
The legal process that followed the incident concluded in January 2020, when Masson Bryant was convicted of manslaughter in Nathan Ward's death. The conviction came after a trial that included testimony from various witnesses. Bryant was subsequently sentenced to a significant prison term for his role in the shooting.
