On May 31, 2015, Marvin Ellis, a 42-year-old resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was found shot to death. The incident occurred near the intersection of San Mateo and Zuni in Albuquerque, marking the beginning of a complex and tragic series of events.
The investigation into Marvin Ellis's murder led authorities to identify two primary suspects: Thomas Stevenson and O'Shay Toney.
These individuals were accused of shooting and killing Ellis, and warrants for their arrest were issued on June 1, 2015.
Thomas Stevenson and O'Shay Toney were linked to the crime through extensive police investigation and evidence. The motive behind the murder was not immediately clear, but the subsequent events would reveal a web of retaliation and violence. Both suspects were eventually arrested and charged in connection with Ellis's death.
The aftermath of Marvin Ellis's murder had a profound impact on his family, particularly his nephew, Kenneth Ellis. Kenneth had testified against O'Shay Toney in the 2015 homicide case, which led to significant threats against him and his family. In a disturbing turn of events, Kenneth Ellis was fatally shot on the dance floor of the Elk's Lodge on San Pedro and Lomas in Albuquerque. This incident occurred early in the morning of a Saturday in April 2024, and police quickly determined that the shooting was likely an act of retribution for Kenneth's testimony against O'Shay Toney.
The investigation into Kenneth Ellis's murder revealed that Theodore Toney, a relative of O'Shay Toney, was the primary suspect. Security camera footage from the Elk's Lodge showed Theodore near Kenneth right before the shooting and leaving immediately after. This evidence, combined with witness statements, led police to believe that Theodore Toney was responsible for the fatal shooting of Kenneth Ellis as an act of revenge for his testimony against O'Shay Toney.
Theodore Toney was subsequently charged with an open count of murder with a firearm enhancement and was taken into custody, awaiting a court appearance. This chain of events underscores the severe consequences of witness retaliation and the ongoing impact of the original 2015 homicide on the Ellis family and the community.
