Ryan Scott York, a 19-year-old male from Conroe, Texas, was tragically taken from this life on February 12, 2020. Born on November 8, 2000, in Memphis, Tennessee, Ryan was a beloved son, brother, and friend. He graduated from Deer Creek High School in 2019 in Edmond, Oklahoma, and spent most of his high school years attending College Park High School in The Woodlands, Texas, where he enjoyed playing football and running track.
Ryan's life was filled with love and joy, and he had a special bond with his family and friends.
On the evening of February 12, 2020, Ryan Scott York and Devin Lee Rash, a 20-year-old male from Conroe, were shot to death at the River Bend Station shopping center parking lot on the 11000 block of Interstate 45 South near Crighton Road. The incident occurred during a marijuana deal that turned deadly. A third man in his 20s, Bryce Smith, was also shot in the head but survived with a bullet lodged in his head.
Waymon Nicholas Jordan Jr., a 22-year-old male from Willis, Texas, was convicted of capital murder for the killings of Ryan Scott York and Devin Lee Rash. Jordan was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. During the trial, it was revealed that Jordan had planned the ambush to rob the victims of a large quantity of marijuana, motivated by a desire to impress his girlfriend on Valentine's Day. The prosecution argued that the shootings were premeditated and that Jordan had intended to kill the victims to avoid being identified.
The trial included video evidence of Jordan's interrogation, during which he initially blamed the shootings on a third person who was not present. Eventually, Jordan admitted to shooting the three men with his stepfather's .22 caliber gun while inside one of their cars. The prosecution described the incident as an execution, pointing to the exit wounds on one of the victims, which indicated that the back of the head had been fired at by the gun. Jordan's plans to join the U.S. Air Force shortly after the shootings further suggested that he intended to disappear into anonymity after the crime.
Ryan Scott York's death was a devastating loss for his family and friends, who remembered him for his dedication, friendship, and the life he loved to live. His funeral service was held on February 19, 2020, at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home, followed by a graveside service at Forest Park Cemetery. Ryan's memory continues to live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
