A Jefferson City man, Chad T. Brewer, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison following his guilty plea to multiple charges in connection with a fatal shooting at Shady Gators in 2021.
The incident led to the tragic death of Vonza Watson, a resident of Kansas City. Brewer, 34, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter, armed criminal action, and the delivery of a controlled substance.
The shooting occurred on May 29, 2021, at the Shady Gators venue. Evidence collected by investigators included a Snapchat video from a bystander, which played a crucial role in Brewer’s trial.
This video showed the moment Brewer fired the fatal shot, and it was examined closely in court during his preliminary hearing in April 2022. Prosecutors presented the video frame by frame to demonstrate Brewer’s involvement in the shooting.
The firearm used in the incident was recovered months later, in September 2021, when a diver retrieved the gun from the lake near Shady Gators. This further solidified the case against Brewer, leaving little doubt about his role in Watson’s death.
Brewer pleaded guilty on September 5, 2024, as part of an agreement with prosecutors. His sentence includes 15 years for voluntary manslaughter, 10 years for armed criminal action, and 10 years for the delivery of a controlled substance.
The sentences for the second and third charges will run concurrently, meaning Brewer will serve 10 years alongside his manslaughter sentence. However, the 10-year sentence for armed criminal action will be served consecutively, adding up to 25 years in total.
Throughout the legal process, Brewer’s defense attorneys, Andrew Henderson and Atty Moreland, sought to change his bond status, but their request was denied. This left Brewer in jail without bond since the early stages of the case.
During his sentencing, the family of Vonza Watson gave emotional victim impact statements, reflecting on the deep loss caused by the incident. Brewer, meanwhile, received credit for 1,196 days already spent in custody since his arrest.
Initially, Brewer faced the possibility of harsher penalties, including life without parole or even the death penalty. However, his guilty plea resulted in a reduced sentence, avoiding a lengthy and potentially more severe trial.
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This case, like many others, highlights the dangers of gun violence and illegal activity. Brewer’s actions have not only cost a life but have also led to his long-term imprisonment, ensuring he will spend many years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.