In the summer of 2023, a dispute between former roommates at a transitional living home in south Phoenix turned fatal, cutting short the life of 18-year-old Lashaw White. On the night of June 22nd, neighbors near the residence at 1600 East Jones Avenue were startled by the sound of gunfire. Phoenix police responded to the calls around 10:30 p.m. and discovered White inside the home, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Despite the immediate medical attention, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Investigators quickly identified a suspect, 18-year-old Cadence Allen, who had recently been evicted from the group home for not adhering to the rules. According to police reports, the conflict began after White had taken Allen's car keys prior to his eviction. On the night of the shooting, the power to the home was inexplicably cut for a couple of minutes before a knock was heard at the door. White, armed with a knife, opened the door slightly. It was at this moment that Allen allegedly opened fire, shooting White multiple times.
Following the shooting, Allen reportedly took the car keys from White's pocket as he lay injured, fled the scene in the vehicle, and then disassembled the gun, discarding the pieces. Just three days later, authorities located and arrested Allen. During questioning, Allen claimed he was attempting to retrieve his keys and that he feared White was going to stab him. He admitted, however, that he never contacted the police for assistance or reported the shooting. Cadence Allen was subsequently booked on several felonies, including first-degree murder, for his alleged role in the death of Lashaw White.
