HERMANN, MO – A routine night at a local convenience store ended in tragedy and a tense search nearly three years ago—an incident that has now resulted in a first-degree murder conviction and left a small Missouri community grappling with loss and questions about justice.
The events unfolded on March 12, 2023, at a Casey’s convenience store in Hermann, a quiet town known more for its vineyards than violent crime. Kenneth Simpson, 38, entered the store as an irate customer, setting off a chain of events that would prove deadly. Two Hermann police officers, Mason Griffith and Adam Sullentrup, responded to employees’ calls about the disturbance, unaware of just how dangerous the situation was about to become.
Simpson, already wanted on multiple outstanding warrants from several counties, quickly drew the attention of bystanders that night. Witnesses noticed him behaving nervously, with one local recognizing Simpson and describing his demeanor as volatile even before police arrived. An employee familiar with him from prior interactions noted feeling uncomfortable, recalling that Simpson had used a false name while placing a food order.
Once the officers entered the store, they approached Simpson calmly, according to surveillance footage and court testimony. Neither Griffith nor Sullentrup had drawn their weapons, aiming to deescalate the situation rather than provoke it. But in a sudden, unprovoked attack, Simpson opened fire, striking both men.
Shoppers and employees scrambled as chaos erupted. Some rushed to help the officers, with one cashier captured on police bodycam footage tending to the wounded Sullentrup. Griffith was also aided by quick-thinking bystanders before emergency services arrived.
The aftermath was immediate and somber. Despite medical efforts at the scene, Griffith died from his wounds that night. Sullentrup survived, later making a recovery, but the sense of safety and normalcy in Hermann was forever changed.
Simpson fled the scene, sparking a manhunt that concluded the following day after a standoff with state police. He was taken into custody without further incident.
This week, the case reached its conclusion in a packed courtroom. Jurors found Simpson guilty of first-degree murder for Griffith’s death, as well as first-degree assault for shooting Sullentrup. Sentencing now looms, with Simpson facing the most severe penalties under Missouri law: life in prison without parole or capital punishment.
The trial featured emotional testimony from eyewitnesses, employees, and first responders. Each provided insight into the minutes leading up to the shooting, Simpson’s agitated state, and the efforts to save the officers. Their recollections detailed a harrowing night and painted a grim portrait of a community forced to confront violence on its doorstep.
As the sentencing phase approaches, Hermann residents continue to mourn Griffith’s loss while honoring Sullentrup’s resilience. The conviction brings a measure of closure, though the legacy of that night persists in the memories of those present and the ongoing debate over crime and punishment in small-town America.