In the summer of 2016, the quiet community of Lacey, Washington, was shaken by a grim discovery that unfolded in a travel trailer. On June 22, 36-year-old Gerald M. Berkey, a White male from Elma, was found dead, the victim of a fatal shooting. His life was cut short alongside two others, Jackson L. Edens, 28, and Terron R. McGrath, 31, in what investigators would soon label a triple homicide.
The scene of the crime painted a stark picture for law enforcement.
Inside the trailer, Thurston County Sheriff's deputies uncovered a significant amount of methamphetamine, heroin, thousands of dollars in cash, and numerous firearms. This discovery led investigators to believe the violent encounter was likely connected to drug dealing, suggesting a robbery that had taken a deadly turn. A fourth individual was also shot during the incident but survived.
The investigation into the brutal slayings eventually led to two suspects, Enrique Lamere and Dugan Lawton. According to court documents, Lamere confessed to being present during the robbery and identified Lawton as the sole shooter. He informed investigators that Lawton's intention was to rob Edens. In a plea agreement with prosecutors, Lamere pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for his role in the crime.
As part of his plea deal, Enrique Lamere agreed to testify against Dugan Lawton, who was also charged in connection with the triple homicide. Following his guilty plea, Lamere was sentenced to 19 years in prison for his involvement in the events that led to the deaths of Gerald M. Berkey and the other two victims.
