By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – Court documents reveal the shooting that left two people dead and wounded two others outside an Orchard Road apartment building earlier this month followed an argument, although Bloomington police say they have not established any gang ties to the case.
The documents revealed accused killer Hammet Brown, also known as “Law,” and murder victim Steven Alexander had been involved in an argument. About three hours after the June 10 shooting, an anonymous caller told police “Law” was the shooter. Other witnesses also identified Brown as the killer. They said he fired a large handgun, according to the court file.
The court papers also revealed police found eight bullet shell casings at the scene.
Alexander, who was 18, and Taneshiea Brown, 20, both from Bloomington, were killed in the gunfire. The suspect is also charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting two other people. 25-year old Kenleia Sims, 25, and Tyree Jones, 20, were each shot in the leg.
Brown, 26, appeared in court for a brief hearing Wednesday. The judge appointed a public defender to represent him, and ordered that he remain jailed on $3 million bond. Brown faces a natural life in prison sentence if he’s found guilty of the double murder.
Police said Tuesday they’ve found no connection between the Orchard Road slayings and a shooting that happened eight days later at 311 Riley Drive that killed three men and seriously wounded an four year old boy.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
