Background: News footage of the Casey”s location in Hermann, Mo., where two police officers were shot in March 2023 (KSDK). Inset (left): Kenneth Simpson (Crawford County Sheriff’s Office). Insets (center and right): Officer Adam Sullentrup and Detective Sgt. Mason Griffith (Hermann Police Department).
A Missouri jury has rendered a guilty verdict against a man accused of shooting two police officers, resulting in the death of one, and the defendant now faces the possibility of the death penalty.
Kenneth Simpson, 38, was convicted on charges of murder and assault following a trial that concluded on Saturday. The charges stem from an incident nearly three years ago when Simpson shot and killed Officer Mason Griffith, 34, and wounded Detective Adam Sullentrup, 34, both of whom were part of the Hermann Police Department. The officers had been dispatched to a Casey’s convenience store in Hermann on the evening of March 12, 2023, responding to reports of a disruptive individual at the premises.
Simpson, who had multiple outstanding warrants across several counties, reportedly opened fire as Griffith and Sullentrup attempted to detain him.
Throughout the trial, several witnesses recounted the events of that fateful night at Casey’s. Local ABC affiliate KMIZ reported testimony from Jeremiah Johnson, who identified Simpson at the store and described him as agitated and appearing “ready for battle.”
Ethan Owens, an employee at Casey’s, testified that Simpson ordered food under the pseudonym “Kevin Maxey.” Owens recognized Simpson from past drug-related interactions and expressed his mistrust of him, stating in court, “I didn’t trust him at all.”
Johnson further testified that he left the store to inform Sullentrup about Simpson’s suspicious behavior and the likelihood of active warrants for his arrest. Sullentrup subsequently requested Griffith’s presence, and together they approached Simpson inside the store. Witnesses noted that neither officer had drawn their weapons while engaging with Simpson.
A few moments into their conversation, surveillance cameras caught Simpson taking out his gun and firing several shots at Sullentrup and Griffith. After Simpson fled the store, Owens and a customer, Jason Nettles, rushed to Griffith’s side to render aid. Cashier Kassandra Quilario was caught on Sullentrup’s bodycam rushing to his side after he was shot.
Sullentrup was hospitalized and recovered from his injuries. Griffith succumbed to his injuries that night.
Simpson was arrested the next day after a standoff with Missouri state police. On Saturday, a jury convicted him of first-degree murder and first-degree assault. He faces life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
