Two KCK Men Convicted in September 2017 Shooting at Local Motel

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces that today a jury convicted Kansas City, Kansas residents Tyrone J. Carvin, 20, and Ramone Singleton, 23, of voluntary manslaughter, aggravated battery, and aggravated assault in the September 2017 homicide of Cameron Hooks at a local motel. 

The jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict for counts one, two, and three for the third co-defendant, Shawn Smith, Jr., 19, also of Kansas City.   The Court declared a mistrial on those three counts.  The jury found Smith not guilty of one count in the complaint filed against him, attempted aggravated robbery and, in the alternative, aggravated assault.  A new trial for counts one, two, and three was set by the Court to begin January 22, 2019.  Smith is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  Charges are merely allegations of criminal conduct. 

On Saturday, September 2 at about 11:30 p.m., the Douglas County 9-1-1 Center received multiple calls regarding a shooting that had just occurred in the 1000 block of North Third Street.  When law enforcement arrived they found the floor of the bedroom covered in blood and three victims with gunshot wounds.  One of the gunshot victims passed away from his injuries, two victims survived, and another victim was not hit by the gunfire. 

A group of men gathered at the local motel room to drink and party and they also planned to go to a strip club later that evening.  One of the men invited a friend from Kansas City to join them.  When the Kansas City man arrived, he brought three friends with him.  The Kansas City men were later identified as Carvin, Singleton, and Smith.  The men partied, ate pizza, and smoked marijuana.  Suddenly one of the men from Kansas City called out to, “Run everything*,” and the chaotic scene ended with 25 gunshots being fired from four guns.   

The jury trial in the Division Two Courtroom began on Monday, August 13.  Jury selection took two days.  Opening statements were delivered on Wednesday, August 15.  The trial continued throughout the remainder of the week and through the entirety of the week of August 20.  The Court sent the jury home early a few times during the course of the lengthy trial as prosecutors and the defense attorneys dealt with various legal issues.  Closing statements were delivered late Friday morning and continued until shortly prior to 3:00 p.m. when the case went to the jury.  The jury returned its verdict Monday afternoon.

Based upon Kansas Sentencing Guidelines, Carvin and Singleton each face between 55 and 247 months in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections for the voluntary manslaughter convictions.  The aggravated battery conviction carries a potential sentence of 38 to 172 months and the aggravated assault conviction carries a potential sentence of 11 to 34 months.  The defendants’ actual sentences will depend on their prior criminal histories.  The Court ordered a presentence investigations for both defendants and scheduled sentencing for October 10 at 4:00 p.m. 

The Honorable Sally D. Pokorny presided over the trial.  The case was investigated by the Lawrence Police Department with assistance of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department.  Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Department responded to the scene to treat and transport the victims.  Senior Assistant District Attorney C.J. Rieg and Assistant District Attorney Mark Simpson prosecuted the case. 

*”Run everything,” is a slang reference for robbery/stealing. 

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*Rule 226 - Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct

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