Posted on: October 19, 2023, 08:44h.
Last updated on: October 19, 2023, 08:44h.
A tragic Las Vegas home invasion resulted in the indictment of five individuals. The incident led to the death of an elderly man and a brutal attack on his wife.
The defendants made their court appearance in Las Vegas, facing charges before Judge Tierra Jones. They are currently in custody, awaiting legal proceedings.
Prosecutors allege that four of the criminals entered a residence in the affluent Queensridge neighborhood on January 12. They used duct tape to restrain the two occupants and demanded money from the couple.
Law enforcement officials revealed that the perpetrators brutally assaulted the 77-year-old man, striking him on the head with a pistol. They also violently attacked the woman, attempting to drown her in a bathtub multiple times.
The man, identified as Hong Shu Liu and originally from China, suffered critical brain injuries as a result of the beatings. Although he initially survived the attack, he sadly passed away on September 17 at Valley View Hospital.
An autopsy conducted by the Clark County coroner’s office confirmed that his cause of death was attributed to “complications of multiple blunt force injuries.”
The woman survived the harrowing ordeal and was able to provide testimony against the defendants during grand jury proceedings.
In addition to the physical violence, the perpetrators coerced the victims into opening multiple safes located within the luxurious property. They stole money, handbags, and jewelry before ordering the injured victims into a closet prior to their escape.
During the crimes, a fifth suspect acted as a lookout and guarded the premises.
The five individuals involved in the incident were identified as Lamonte Butler, 25; Howard Cavitt, 28; Denzale Lee, 28; Raven Queen, 28; and Antonio Washington, 25.
Facing Up to 22 Charges
Due to the victim’s advanced age, the suspects face an enhanced murder charge for the murder of an individual over 60 years old.
Lee, Queen, and Washington were indicted on 22 charges, including murder and attempted murder, according to local news station KLAS. Queen’s bail was set at $750,000, while Lee and Washington both had bails set at $600,000.
Butler and Cavitt were indicted on 15 charges, including murder and attempted murder. Butler’s bail is $500,000, and Cavitt’s bail is $1 million.
All five defendants are currently being held at the Clark County Detention Center.
This tragic home invasion is believed to be connected to other similar incidents and a series of crimes in the area. Some of the defendants are suspected of involvement in up to 11 burglaries, as reported by KLAS.
Alleged Planning by Queen
Authorities suspect that Queen was the mastermind behind the “extremely violent home invasions and burglaries” that occurred. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) charged three additional suspects in connection with the crime spree.