Arthur Wright shot in face after girlfriend used social media site for prostitution

ALBANY — An Albany man was shot in the face after his girlfriend used a social media site to engage in prostitution, according to the Albany Police Department.

“Units responded in reference to a shooting,” APD spokeswoman Phyllis Banks said. “Upon arrival, they found Arthur Wright on the ground with a gunshot wound to the face.”

Reports indicate that APD Officer William Tuten responded in emergency mode to 303 Elsom St. at 10:22 p.m. in reference to that shooting.

“Upon arrival, I noticed several people in the road screaming,” Tuten wrote in the report. “I was approached by several people who said the suspect ran west down Hubert Avenue. I was able to make contact with Arthur Wright. (Wright) had a single gunshot wound to the face. I was unable to understand what he was saying. EMS med unit 3 responded to the scene and transported (Wright) to Phoebe Main for treatment.”

According to Banks, officers made contact with Cara Ryals, Wright’s girlfriend, at the scene.

“Officers made contact with Cara Ryals, and she stated that an unknown black male she made contact with on ‘Backpage’ attempted to rob her,” Banks said. “When the man tried to leave, he encountered her boyfriend, Wright, at the front door. The unknown (suspect) then shot Wright in the face and fled the scene. Ryals was transported to LEC (Law Enforcement Center) and turned over to investigators.”

Backpage is a social media site, much like Craig’s List, on which individuals can place items for sale, advertise or, in the “dating” section, seek personal interaction. The “dating” section of the site requires participants to be 18 years old to enter and by its own disclaimer admits, “This section contains sexual content, including pictorial nudity and adult language.”

According to the police report, when Tuten made contact with Ryals, she admitted to engaging in prostitution with the suspect prior to the attempted robbery and the shooting of Wright.

“She (Ryals) stated she was on Backpage and listed an ad for a ‘play’,” Tuten wrote in his report. “She stated (Wright) told her to do a play so they could get some money. She stated a play was another term for prostitution. She advised she was contacted by an unknown male in reference to the ad. She stated he came over and they had sex. She stated when he was leaving, he pulled a gun and demanded money. She advised that she told him she didn’t have any so he left. She stated a few seconds later she heard a bang. She stated when she ran outside, she saw (Wright) sitting on the porch, bleeding from the face.”

According to Ryals, the suspect was a young black male with facial hair, about 6-feet-3 inches in height and slender. He was wearing all black and had a silver revolver handgun.

Wright’s sister, Lashunya Green, who also lives at the residence, was at home when the incident occurred.

“Contact was made with Lashunya Green,” the police report indicated. “She stated she was (Wright’s) sister. She advised that (Wright’s) girlfriend, Cara Ryals, invited some guy over. She stated the guy shot her brother in the face. She stated she was in her room when she heard (Ryals) in the next room. She stated she opened her bedroom door and saw the suspect leaving (Ryals’) room with a gun in his hand. She stated the suspect pointed the gun at her and walked away. She stated a few seconds later she heard a gunshot. She stated she went to the front yard to see what happened and ran into her brother. She stated he was bleeding from the face.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, there was no word on Wright’s condition, and APD had released no further information about a possible suspect, nor had police reported whether charges would be filed against Ryals.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Albany Police Department at (229) 431-2100 or Crime Stoppers at (229) 436-TIPS (8477).