SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for a racially motivated killing.
Last month Judge Chrystal Krier sentenced 29-year-old Roger Gale, Jr. of Wichita to 27-years in prison for the May 2022 shooting death of Emmanuel Hardy, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
In March, Gale pled guilty to second degree murder with the added stipulation that the State possessed sufficient facts to establish that the crime was “racially motivated."
In May of 2022, officers responded to a shooting at an apartment complex in the 4900 block of East Harry. Upon their arrival, they located 30-year-old Emmanuel Hardy of Wichita outside of the residence with gunshot wounds, according to Office Paul Cruz. EMS transported Hardy to an area hospital where he died.
The investigation revealed Gale and Hardy were in a verbal disturbance that stemmed from a prior verbal argument while Gale was walking his dog, according to Cruz.
During the disturbance Gale fired several shots at a 39-year-old woman and Hardy. Hardy was shot several times which caused his fatal injuries.