On the night of August 23, 2021, a violent encounter in a liquor store parking lot in Romulus, Michigan, claimed the life of 28-year-old Chrevon Rayman Lawrence. The incident unfolded shortly after 11 p.m. at Top Shelf Liquor, located at the corner of Eureka and Inkster roads, where police responded to a call of a man shot multiple times. Upon arrival, officers discovered Lawrence, a Detroit resident, deceased in the parking lot from multiple gunshot wounds.
According to police, it is
believed that the shooting was preceded by an armed robbery allegedly involving Lawrence and two other men. Investigators stated that after the alleged robbery, the man who was robbed drew his own firearm and shot Lawrence. A gun was found near Lawrence's body at the scene.
In the wake of the shooting, the Romulus Police Department identified four individuals as persons of interest: 22-year-old Tenaje Gaiter, 26-year-old Joseph Miles, 24-year-old Lajohn Esten Washington, and another man who was not publicly identified. Police reported that Washington was believed to be driving a gray 2015 Ford Fusion, while Gaiter and the unidentified man were in a dark-colored Jeep.
The investigation led to the arrest of Lajohn Esten Washington on September 20, 2021. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Chrevon Lawrence. Additionally, Washington faced charges of assault with intent to murder for allegedly attempting to shoot an 18-year-old Taylor man who was also present at the scene, and two counts of felony firearm. The current status of the other persons of interest, Tenaje Gaiter and Joseph Miles, in relation to the investigation has not been publicly disclosed.
