By TERESA NIMS
Sunday Times Newspapers
MELVINDALE — Lamar Alexander Carter was arraigned Thursday on first-degree murder and two other felony counts in the Feb. 13 shooting death of a 44-year-old man at Play Atlantis.
Carter, 23, of Detroit is being held without bond in the Wayne County Jail. In addition to murder, he was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon an felony firearm. He was video arraigned before 24th District Court Judge Richard Page.
Police Lt. John Allen said Carter is suspected of shooting Sean Lawrence Key, also of Detroit, while both were at the entertainment center Play Atlantis, 19400 Allen Road.
After the shooting, Carter was quickly identified as a suspect and the manhunt began. Authorities believe Carter stayed in the area until taking a bus to Oxford, Ala., where he arrived shortly before Feb. 25, and turned himself in. He went into a Quiznos restaurant and asked an employee to call 911 to have police come and get him.
Carter and Allen were both at separate birthday parties Feb. 13, when fights between the parties broke out, Allen said. At one time, there were three different fights raging.
Shortly after, Carter allegedly went outside and returned with a gun. He aimed at one woman, who ducked. He then reportedly aimed the weapon at Key.
Allen said witnesses said Key said something to the shooter to put the focus on him and away from the children and adults around him. The shooter shot Key once in the head, killing him instantly, then fled.
(Tereasa Nims can be reached at [email protected])