On August 25, 2019, a tragic incident occurred at a house party in Hobbs, New Mexico, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including 22-year-old Lamar Lee-Kane Jr. from Washington, D.C. The other victims were 18-year-old Khalil Carter and 24-year-old Kristal Avena, both from Hobbs. In addition to the fatalities, four others were injured but survived the shooting.
The primary suspect in this case was Bishop Henderson III, who was arrested and charged in connection with the
shootings. Henderson, who was acting as a DJ at the party, was initially denied bail and held in custody pending trial. During the investigation, Henderson was questioned by Hobbs police detectives, particularly Detective Sgt. Ahmaad White. Henderson initially denied bringing a gun to the party but later admitted to having a 9mm handgun, which he claimed he did not use to shoot anyone. He stated that he had taken the gun from the party and hidden it in a safe at his home.
The prosecution's case against Henderson was built on various pieces of evidence and testimony. For instance, Henderson's girlfriend, Taylor Miller, testified that she arranged the party and was standing next to Henderson when the gunfire erupted, but she did not see him shoot anyone. However, Detective White testified that Henderson's gun was found in the safe at his home, and Henderson had admitted to taking the gun to the party. Despite this, the defense argued that the evidence did not conclusively link Henderson to the shootings. They pointed out discrepancies, such as bullet fragments from the deceased that did not match Henderson's gun and the presence of multiple firearms at the scene, indicating that more than one shooter might have been involved.
The trial of Bishop Henderson III began in August 2022 and lasted for 19 days. During the trial, several key points were raised that cast doubt on Henderson's guilt. The defense highlighted that the projectiles found in the victims did not match Henderson's gun, and there were indications of multiple shooters. For example, firearms expert Kevin Streine testified that at least six guns were involved in the shooting, and there were more casings than guns identified. Additionally, the defense argued that a detective had lied to Henderson to coerce a confession, which further undermined the prosecution's case.
In the end, the jury found Bishop Henderson III not guilty on all seven counts after approximately two hours of deliberation. The verdict was delivered on August 24, 2022, marking the conclusion of a lengthy and complex legal process. Despite the acquittal, the case remains significant due to the tragic loss of life and the complexities surrounding the investigation and trial.
Throughout the investigation and trial, other potential suspects were mentioned, although none were formally charged. Henderson himself suggested during his interrogation that individuals associated with the 'Get Money Boys' or Johnny McBride could have been involved. Specifically, he named Kei'manuel Wright, Devarian Gibson, and Keeshon Cantu as potential suspects. Additionally, cell phone expertise placed Johnny McBride at the scene, but these leads did not result in any further arrests or charges.
The shooting incident and subsequent trial highlighted the challenges in resolving such complex cases, especially when multiple firearms and potential shooters are involved. The case of Lamar Lee-Kane Jr.'s death, along with the other victims, remains a tragic reminder of the violence that can occur at social gatherings and the importance of thorough and unbiased investigations.
