New details emerge in Lexington homicide

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – New details in a Lexington homicide that happened back in January have emerged, including the development that the 18-year-old victim was apparently not the intended target, according to officers.

Lexington police say the suspects in that shooting actually intended to rob a house, and that their victims were simply in the wrong place and the wrong time.

On Tuesday, police arrested 19-year-old Marquess Smith and 18-year-old Marique Sturgis, who was a juvenile at the time of the shooting, in connection to the incident.

Marquess Smith

Marique Sturgis

Investigators say Smith and Sturgis are two of five suspects believed to be responsible for the murder of 18-year-old Caleb Hallett and the shooting of Joshua Baker.  Both victims were found shot inside of a car on University Avenue.  Police say three of the suspects involved in the shooting were juveniles at the time.

According to court documents, one of the juveniles who drove to the home that night said that Smith, Sturgis, and 21-year-old Kenyon Hipps walked to the back of the house they intended to rob wearing masks.  The juvenile continued, saying all three came back to the vehicle ten minutes later, and that while driving away, Sturgis tossed a cell phone out of the rear window.

Kenyon Hipps

Court documents say while driving away from the area, Smith and Sturgis discussed what had happened during the ten minutes they were away, saying that as they approached the house, the victims came out, headed towards their car.  The document continues, saying that Smith and Sturgis approached the car Hallett and Baker were in, and when Hallett said something to him, Smith fired a handgun, hitting Hallett. Court documents also say Sturgis then shot Baker.  Investigators later found the cell phone Sturgis threw from the car was taken from Baker.

Police say they have all suspects in the case.  One of the suspects, 21-year-old Kenyon Hipps was found dead inside of a vehicle in Ohio back in January.  Police say he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Marquess Smith appeared in court for a video arraignment Wednesday afternoon. He entered a not guilty plea. The judge did not issue him a bond. He’s due back in court March 17th.