In the cold of a Detroit winter, on February 10, 2014, the life of 26-year-old Nicholas Bowman was brutally cut short in a horrifying act of violence that also claimed two others. Firefighters, responding to a blaze on Bentler Street, made a grim discovery inside the home. While his father, Lawrence Bowman, and a family friend, Michael Hoots, were found deceased in the basement, Nicholas was found alive on the first floor, albeit with severe injuries. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
The subsequent investigation by the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office revealed a chilling narrative. Nicholas Bowman and Michael Hoots had both been stabbed to death. Lawrence Bowman had also been stabbed multiple times and suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head. It became evident to investigators that the fire was no accident, but a deliberate attempt to conceal the gruesome triple homicide. The victims had reportedly been tortured before their deaths.
The investigation swiftly led Detroit and state police to four suspects: Larry Johnson, 20, and three 19-year-olds, Rashawn Johnson, Tenisha Jackson, and Keeshon Lake. A crucial piece of evidence was the tracking of Hoots' missing 2013 Chrysler 200 to Redford Township, which led authorities to the suspects. Upon their arrest, police discovered personal belongings of the victims, including identification and bloody clothing, in the suspects' possession.
The motive behind this brutal crime was revealed to be a plan to steal items for Jackson's birthday, which tragically included an Xbox, puppies, a car, and a bridge card. All four suspects were charged with a litany of offenses, including three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of felony murder, two counts of armed robbery, and one count of arson. Larry Johnson faced additional charges for heroin possession and a felony firearms offense. The four were subsequently sentenced for their roles in the heinous crime, with sentences ranging from 19-30 years to approximately 40-70 years in prison after admitting to second-degree murder charges.
