On November 29, 2016, a tragic incident occurred in Las Vegas, Nevada, resulting in the death of 20-year-old Joshua Deshawn Lee. The event unfolded at The Covington at Coronado Ranch, an apartment complex located at 7800 S. Rainbow Blvd. In the evening of that day, Metropolitan Police Department officers were responding to a routine call at the complex when they heard gunshots coming from a different building within the same complex.
Upon investigating the source of the gunshots, the officers encountered Michael Gardenhire, Joshua Deshawn Lee's 49-year-old father. Gardenhire approached the police and confessed to shooting his son. He led the officers to the apartment where the shooting occurred, and there, they found Joshua Deshawn Lee, who had succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Michael Gardenhire was immediately arrested by the police and charged with one count of murder with a deadly weapon. He was subsequently booked into the Clark County Detention Center. The motive behind the shooting was not immediately clear, although it was noted that both Michael Gardenhire and Joshua Deshawn Lee had temper issues and frequently argued. Despite these conflicts, Joshua's sister, Jasmine Gardenhire, expressed her shock and grief over the incident, describing her brother as a person with 'a heart of gold' who was friendly, smart, and outgoing.
Joshua Deshawn Lee had recently moved in with his father, Michael Gardenhire, as he was battling depression. Jasmine Gardenhire mentioned that her brother looked up to their father and wanted to be like him, highlighting the complex and emotional dynamics within the family. The family, including Joshua's mother, Moniquelee, his brother Jamal, and his 2-year-old son Joshua Lee Jr., were deeply affected by the loss.
The incident has been particularly tough for the family, with Jasmine Gardenhire expressing her desire to understand why her father committed such a horrific act. She also mentioned her struggle to forgive her father, stating, 'God willing, I will try to forgive my dad.' The family organized a funeral for Joshua Deshawn Lee, which was scheduled for December 10, 2016, in Compton, California, and set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the funeral expenses.
Michael Gardenhire's arrest and subsequent charges marked the beginning of a legal process that would seek to address the tragic events of that night. His confession to the police and the evidence found at the scene provided a clear indication of his involvement in Joshua Deshawn Lee's death, setting the stage for further legal proceedings to determine his culpability and the appropriate consequences for his actions.
