On January 2021, four individuals, namely Jeremy Curts, Dijong Long, Armani Young, and Lester Lewis Jr., attempted to rob a drug dealer in Tacoma, Washington. The defendants, armed with firearms, approached the dealer in a parked car and planned to use a fake $100 bill to purchase a little over an ounce of marijuana. However, instead of paying, Curts fired multiple shots into the car, killing 19-year-old Kieyree Spencer and injuring the dealer. All four defendants pleaded guilty to various charges, with Curts pleading guilty to first-degree murder. Judge Timothy Ashcraft sentenced Curts to 23 years and four months, Lewis to 20 years, Young to 8 years and 6 months, and Long to 5 years in prison.
According to prosecutors, Curts was the most responsible for the shooting, but all four defendants shared criminal blame in Spencer’s death. Spencer was described as a charismatic young man with a passion for sports and shoes. Before sentencing, the defendants made statements to the court, expressing their remorse for the victims and their families. The shooting occurred on January 18, 2021, and was reported to the police by the injured dealer seeking help at a convenience store. The police found Spencer unresponsive in the car, and he was declared dead at the scene. Two baggies of marijuana totaling 34.9 grams and a handgun were found in the car, but there was no evidence the gun was fired during the incident.
Prosecutors believe that an incident at Curts’ home on the day of the shooting contributed to his decision to fire into the victims’ car. Curts reportedly accidentally fired a gun in his grandmother’s room earlier that day, causing an argument with his father. After the shooting, Curts fired a shot at a passing car before fleeing the area. In a forensic psychological evaluation requested by his attorney, Curts claimed that he was drunk when the shooting occurred and thought he heard a round being chambered, prompting him to start firing.
