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Murfreesboro, TN - Authorities have confirmed the arrest of the final outstanding suspect tied to a series of retaliatory drive-by shootings across Murfreesboro. Nineteen-year-old Ny’Esha Lawrence was taken into custody Monday on outstanding warrants and is now being held at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center. Her arrest marks the seventh and final apprehension in a week-long investigation by the Murfreesboro Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit. Detectives say all suspects involved in the targeted shootings, which injured an innocent child and left multiple residences damaged, are now behind bars.
The violent chain of events began June 22, when shots were fired from a blue Volkswagen sedan into the Abbington Apartments complex on Bradyville Pike, damaging two apartment units. No injuries were reported. Police quickly arrested 20-year-old Kevin Hatter and two juvenile males. Hatter faces multiple charges including reckless endangerment, while the juveniles were processed through the juvenile system.
The following evening, police say intended victims from the initial shooting retaliated by firing from a vehicle at mini-bike riders on Greenland Avenue. Ke’Marion Bass, 19, and Kameron Dunnaway, 18, were arrested in connection and charged with felony reckless endangerment and vandalism.
Later that same night, suspects Bass and Dunnaway were targeted in a third shooting on Warrior Drive. Nineteen-year-old Benjamin Hicks was taken into custody and charged with attempted first-degree murder after a bullet from his alleged assault struck an 11-year-old girl in her bedroom. The child sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Hicks is also facing charges of reckless endangerment.
According to investigators, all shootings were targeted and involved a small group of connected individuals. The swift resolution of the case reflects a coordinated and expedited effort from law enforcement.
Bond and court information for the suspects are as follows:
- Kevin Hatter: $63,500 bond; court appearance set for September 8
- Ke’Marion Bass & Kameron Dunnaway: $36,000 bond each; both to appear September 8
- Benjamin Hicks: $1 million bond; scheduled for September 8
- Two Juveniles: Released to guardians
- Ny’Esha Lawrence: In custody; bond details pending
Police continue to urge residents to report any future suspicious activity, emphasizing that community cooperation remains key to keeping neighborhoods safe.
