University of Kentucky frat party shooter sentenced, other Fayette Co. court updates
Court cases stemming from several deadly incidents in and around Central Kentucky neared their ends in July as defendants received their prison sentences.
These developments include a Lexington man sentenced for a 2022 shooting at the University of Kentucky fraternity party, as well as a man convicted of reckless homicide for a fatal shooting outside of a party.
Here are updates on court cases previously covered by the Herald-Leader.
Man charged in UK frat shooting sentenced
A Lexington man at the center of a shooting investigation on University Avenue that left 11 University of Kentucky students injured was sentenced to nine years in prison.
Jason Almanza-Arroyo, 21, was sentenced on July 26, for charges of second-degree assault, multiple counts of second-degree wanton endangerment, and first-degree wanton endangerment. He was ordered by Fayette Circuit Judge Kimberly Bunnell to serve nine years in prison and $4,000 in restitution.
He pleaded guilty to amended charges on June 10, according to court documents.
Almanza-Arroyo was originally charged with 10 counts of second-degree assault and other offenses after he allegedly fired a shot that injured 11 people in September 2022. He was 19 at the time of the shooting.
One person was wounded by the bullet and 10 others were hit by shrapnel and debris from the shot, according to court records.
Other charges included wanton endangerment, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, assault on a police officer and felon in possession of a handgun.
Man sentenced for after reckless homicide convicted
A Lexington man found guilty of reckless homicide for his involvement in the death of a man he admittedly shot outside a party in 2022, was sentenced to prison earlier this month.
Woody LaPierre, 31, was charged with murder in connection with the death of a 25-year-old Nigerian man, Adetokunbo “Tomi” Okunoye. LaPierre’s trial concluded in early June.
Court testimony revealed LaPierre and Okunoye were at a party together the night of the shooting, and the two men were alleged to have engaged in a verbal argument before shots rang out.
LaPierre’s testimony painted Okunoye as the main aggressor in the dispute and he tried to scare off Okunoye multiple times before firing the fatal shot from a gun he didn’t know was loaded. LaPierre said Okunoye was bigger than him and afraid he could inflict serious physical injury on him.
A jury recommended a sentence of five years for LaPierre. Fayette Circuit Judge Dianne Minnifield upheld the jury’s suggestion at a sentencing hearing on July 12.
Man pleads guilty to amended charges in 2017 homicide
A third suspect involved in a shooting that killed a Lexington man in 2018 has pleaded guilty to amended charges and is now awaiting sentencing.
Garren Anderson, 23, pleaded guilty earlier this month to complicity to manslaughter, attempted murder, robbery, burglary, and tampering with physical evidence. He faces a recommended sentence of 17 years, according to court documents.
Anderson is one of five suspects charged in connection to the death of 29-year-old Charles Shryock, who died from a gunshot wound in 2017.
Anderson originally faced 17 charges in connection to Shryock’s death, including complicity to murder, attempted murder, two counts of complicity to robbery, complicity to burglary, fleeing police, tampering with evidence, buying or possessing drug paraphernalia, giving false information, and criminal mischief.
As part of his plea deal, five of his charges were dismissed and two were amended, according to court documents. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 18.
Mississippi man convicted of manslaughter sentenced for crimes
A Mississippi man convicted of second-degree manslaughter by a jury on July 11 was sentenced to 10 years on July 15.
Bobby Hubbard, 24, was originally charged with murder for allegedly killing Doricky Harris at a Coolavin Apartment on West Sixth Street in September 2022.
But a jury found Hubbard guilty of a lesser charge, manslaughter, after defense attorneys argued it was a case of self-defense.
Harris’ girlfriend, Jada Richardson, testified at trial she called Hubbard and told him Harris had assaulted her and fired shots earlier that day. Richardson allegedly asked Hubbard to come pick up her and her child and take her to her sister’s house in Georgetown, fearing for her safety.
Richardson told Hubbard to come armed, Whitney Kirk, Hubbard’s attorney, said.
When Hubbard arrived he was told Harris was armed and dangerous, according to Kirk. He went to Richardson and Harris’ apartment to retrieve baby formula and a car seat while legally armed with a gun. When Hubbard entered the residence, his attorneys claimed he was attacked by Harris.
