On the afternoon of May 1, 2015, 19-year-old Brandon Morris was with four friends near a convenience store at South 45th Street and South Puget Sound Avenue in Tacoma, Washington, when a vehicle drove down an adjacent alley and multiple shots were fired from the SUV toward the group. Morris pushed his friends behind a nearby Jeep to shield them and was struck in the head; he was the only person in his group hit by the gunfire.

Authorities later described the shooting as a case of mistaken identity. Prosecutors said the assailants targeted the group because at least one friend was wearing red clothing and the area was known as a hangout for a particular gang; investigators stated neither Morris nor his friends had known gang affiliations. Morris was on the verge of graduating from Bates Technical College to become a diesel mechanic and was described by family as a good man who died protecting his friends.

The investigation led to the arrest of six individuals. Alexander Kitt, 23, and Lance Milton Ausley, 17, faced murder charges; other suspects included Clifford Krentkowski, Jeremy Bolieu, Jermohnn Gore, and a 15-year-old. In October 2016, three of the defendants were sentenced in connection with the killing, including lengthy prison terms for Jermohnn Gore, Alexander Kitt, and Clifford Krentkowski. Did anyone who knew Brandon or his friends see them that afternoon or notice the SUV in the alley?