Steven Kent, who was killed during a December 2016 home invasion, fought back against intruders and stopped the robbery, family says.
Ronnie Williams, 36, and Corey Carroll, 26, cased a home on Tucson Street south of East 168th Avenue in Adams County before returning late the next day with ski masks, rubber gloves and a .45 caliber handgun, according to the Adams County District Attorney’s Office.
Kent was asleep at the time, as was his 80-year-old grandmother Marilyn Kent who he had taken care of for 20 years, said a close family member, who asked not to be identified. Williams entered Steven Kent’s room and shot him four times.
Marilyn Kent, who is disabled and was on oxygen during the shooting, heard yelling in her son’s bedroom followed by the shots, according to a statement from the district attorney’s office. Williams then came into her room, held a gun to her head and threatened to kill her. But Carroll convinced him not to.
During this time, Steven Kent managed to get a hold of his gun, the family member said. Carroll left Marilyn Kent’s room, which is directly across the hall, while holding two freezer bags of marijuana. Steven Kent then shot Carroll, hitting him in the lower back, the family member said.
Carroll fell forward, knocking over things in the hall, the family member said. Williams then shot Steven Kent two more times. Carroll crawled out of the house and into a ditch in the back where authorities later found him, the family member said.
The district attorney’s office said the two had taken the marijuana but the family member said the bags fell out of Carroll’s hands following the shooting.
Williams pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 44-years in prison. Carroll pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery and will be sentenced on Feb. 8.