Jacksonville, FL – Roland Ball, 25, was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of murdering 17-year-old Inandi Wyche, a Ribault High School cheerleader, during a shooting in March 2020. The jury convicted Ball on January 27, 2025, after deliberating for just over an hour. In addition to first-degree murder, Ball was found guilty of several other charges, including multiple counts of attempted murder, shooting deadly missiles, and witness tampering.
On the night of March 19, 2020, Wyche was driving her boyfriend, Jacksonville rapper Kshordy (Terise Powe), home when a gray vehicle blocked their path in the 4700 block of Portsmouth Avenue. Ball and another individual, Xavion Porter, opened fire on the car. Wyche, tragically, was fatally shot, while Powe was injured but survived. Ball was arrested and later convicted for the shooting.
Breakdown of Ball’s Sentencing:
First-degree murder: Life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Attempted first-degree murder (5 counts): 40 years each.
Shooting or throwing deadly missiles (2 counts): 15 years each.
Tampering with or harassing a witness: 1,473 days (credit for time served).
Ball’s defense attorney has maintained his client’s innocence, and his sister, Viola Greaves, expressed unwavering support, stating the family would continue to fight for him. Despite the defense’s claims, the judge sentenced Ball on all charges, with all sentences to be served concurrently.
Gang-Related Incident Authorities stated that the shooting was gang-related, stemming from an earlier deadly incident nearby, and was believed to be a retaliatory act against Powe. Police said Ball and Porter mistakenly blamed Powe for the previous shooting, and the murder of Wyche was the result of this perceived revenge.
Porter, who was 16 at the time of the shooting, is facing conspiracy to commit murder charges. He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on February 26, 2025.
Impact Statements During the sentencing, emotional victim impact statements were read aloud. Inandi’s mother, Monique Wyche, described her daughter as a bright, inspiring young woman whose loss has left a profound void in the family. Her teachers and grandmother also shared touching tributes, remembering Wyche’s warmth, spirit, and the way she brightened the lives of everyone around her.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings While Ball faces life in prison, Porter’s trial is still pending. The case has drawn attention to the ongoing problem of gun violence and gang-related crime in Jacksonville.
The community continues to grieve the loss of Wyche, a promising teenager whose life was tragically cut short.
