Theodore 'Ted' Lawson, a 63-year-old male, was a dedicated community activist and secretary for the Ingham County Democratic Party. On the afternoon of October 8, 2023, he was canvassing for a Lansing City Council candidate in his own neighborhood on North Jenison Avenue. His passion for making his community a better place was well-known, as he often spent his time knocking on doors, making phone calls, and educating the public about their voting rights.
A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Lawson had worked as a journeyman butcher at Meijer for 37 years.
On that Sunday afternoon, while going door-to-door, Lawson was approached by 15-year-old Lamar Kemp, who was with two other teenagers. After asking Lawson for a dollar and being refused, Kemp fatally shot him. The incident was captured on a nearby surveillance camera, which recorded the sound of the gunshot. Although Lawson was engaged in political canvassing at the time, authorities have stated that the shooting was not related to his political activities but rather a random act of violence.
Lansing police quickly identified Kemp as the suspect with the help of surveillance footage and witness testimony from the two teenagers who were with him. He was taken into custody shortly after the shooting. Due to the severity of the crime and Kemp's prior interactions with the juvenile court system, the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office decided to charge him as an adult with open murder, carrying a concealed weapon, and possession of a firearm.
In August 2024, Lamar Kemp pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. As part of a plea agreement, he is expected to be sentenced to 35 to 60 years in prison for the senseless killing of Ted Lawson. The tragic and sudden death of Lawson was a significant loss for the Lansing community, where he was remembered as a tireless worker who cared deeply about his neighbors and the democratic process.
