Ryan Skeen was 16 when he was shot in the neck on October 26, 2015, in the 200 block of Franklin Square in Warner Robins, Georgia. He was taken to a local hospital, placed on life support, and removed the next morning. Police described the incident as related to a robbery involving drugs rather than a random attack.

Investigators arrested 13-year-old Kaden Chase Barefoot and charged him as an adult. A Houston County grand jury indicted Barefoot on eight counts, including felony and malice murder, criminal attempt to commit armed robbery, and theft by receiving a stolen firearm. The indictment alleged Barefoot tried to steal marijuana from Skeen with a stolen 9mm handgun and had hydrocodone at the time. Barefoot pleaded not guilty in February 2016, but in November 2016, at age 14, he changed his plea to guilty on counts of voluntary manslaughter and criminal attempt to commit armed robbery.

Before sentencing Barefoot expressed remorse and Skeen’s family spoke about their grief. The District Attorney said a plea was considered after defense motions raised questions about whether Skeen had been seeking a gun because he feared being robbed while selling drugs and noted the defendant’s age. Barefoot was sentenced to 20 years for voluntary manslaughter and a concurrent 30 years for attempted armed robbery, with the last 10 years of that term to be served on probation.

If anyone knew Ryan or has information about the events that night, please come forward.