Lawrence man pleads guilty to involuntary manslaughter in 2023 shooting that killed Topeka man – The Lawrence Times

A Lawrence man pleaded guilty Tuesday to involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 2023 shooting death of 20-year-old Cameron Renner of Topeka.

Maliqe Crenshaw, 23, was originally charged with second-degree reckless homicide. The charge stems from a shooting on June 3, 2023.

Police had received multiple reports of gunfire in the area of ​​24th Street and Cedarwood Avenue, a department news release said at the time.

“Officers also proactively responded to the hospital and observed a vehicle entering the Emergency Department entrance at a high rate of speed,” police said in the release. “Officers pulled a male victim from the backseat, who was later pronounced dead by hospital staff.”

There were three men in the car with Renner who said they did not know his identity, the press release said. Within days, police were able to identify Renner with the public’s help. Police announced in November that “after a months-long investigation, investigators were able to link forensic evidence to Crenshaw, leading to his arrest.”

But a defense motion in the case, which seeks immunity from prosecution and argues that Crenshaw was defending himself, alleges that Renner and his friends threatened Crenshaw and his friends by “pointing at least one gun at the camera” during a video call shortly before the shooting, then showed up wearing masks at the apartment where Crenshaw lived and “lit and threw an explosive device onto the balcony.”

According to the motion, Crenshaw was walking to his apartment with friends at the time.

“Fearing for his life, Mr. Crenshaw decided in a split second to pull out his gun and fired three shots in the direction of the flashing lights and masked figures, all of whom appeared to be holding something in their hands,” the motion said. “Immediately after the shooting, Mr. Crenshaw, still fearing for his life, ran back into his apartment to safety.”

One of Crenshaw’s friends then told him that someone — Renner — had fallen in the grass. The friend tried to call 911 but was unable to reach dispatchers, the motion said.

“Mr. Crenshaw then left the safety of his apartment to run to Mr. Renner, pick him up, and carry him to a nearby vehicle. Mr. Crenshaw and his friends drove Mr. Renner to the hospital,” the motion continues. “Upon arrival, Mr. Crenshaw told waiting officers that he fired his weapon out of fear for his life, but that he did not mean to hurt anyone. Police noted that Mr. Crenshaw was ‘very cooperative.’”

The case was scheduled to go to jury trial next month.

Crenshaw pleaded guilty Tuesday to a charge of involuntary manslaughter, a Level 5 felony, or moderate, according to a news release from the Douglas County Prosecutor’s Office.

Crenshaw’s sentencing is set for Sept. 27 at 1:30 p.m. He faces 31 to 136 months in prison — anywhere from 2 1/2 to 11 years — and must register as a violent criminal for 15 years, the district attorney’s office said.

Jail and court records show he has been held in the Douglas County Jail since his arrest.

Renner grew up in Rossville and Topeka and graduated from Shawnee Heights High School in 2021, according to his obituary. He worked as a roofer in construction.

This story was written by the Lawrence Times news team.

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A Lawrence man pleaded guilty Tuesday to involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 2023 shooting death of 20-year-old Cameron Renner of Topeka.

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Prosecutors have filed charges against a Lawrence man in connection with a June shooting that left a 20-year-old man dead.

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Cameron Renner, a 20-year-old man from Topeka, was the person shot and killed Saturday morning in Lawrence, police said.

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A Lawrence man pleaded guilty Tuesday to involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 2023 shooting death of 20-year-old Cameron Renner of Topeka.

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