Anthony Darcy, who shot a man to death in front of his young son in Topeka, dies in prison at age 87

Anthony N. Darcy was 81 years old when he shot Stephen Snyder to death in 2017 in Topeka, saying he was "tired of his (expletive)."

Darcy was 87 when he died recently in prison.

Darcy died of natural causes March 24 at El Dorado Correctional Facility, said David Thompson, public information officer for the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Anthony Darcy had just sold his house to Stephen Snyder

Darcy was sentenced in November 2019 to serve 15 years and five months in prison for crimes that included second-degree murder in the May 2017 killing of Stephen Snyder, 36, who was shot to death in front of his 8-year-old son.

Darcy shot Snyder outside a house at 3031 S.W. 33rd, which Darcy had just sold to Snyder, Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay said at the time. Snyder was letting Darcy remain in the house past the closing date, he said.

Snyder and his son arrived at the house at an agreed upon, prescheduled time on May 1, 2017, to take measurements for a new carpet, Kagay said.

In a video of an interview with Snyder's son shown at Darcy's preliminary hearing, the boy said Darcy initially acted nice to his father, then "just pulled a gun and shot him."

Darcy "fired once into Snyder’s chest, and twice more as Snyder and his son retreated down the sidewalk and driveway,” Kagay said.

Darcy was arrested soon afterward at the scene, Kagay said.

Darcy was serving 15 years for second-degree murder

A charging affidavit filed in the case said Darcy said he killed Snyder because he was “tired of his (expletive).”

On the day Snyder was shot, Darcy called Snyder saying it was OK for him to come over to the house about 6 p.m., according to the affidavit.

It said Darcy then called a law enforcement dispatcher at 6:08 p.m. to say he had shot Snyder.

Darcy was convicted after a five-day trial in August 2019 of one felony count each of intentional second-degree murder, aggravated assault and the aggravated endangerment of a child.

Kansas law defines intentional second-degree murder as murder committed intentionally but not with premeditation.

Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Anthony Darcy, convicted of 2017 Topeka murder, dies in prison at 87