Amarillo, Texas – A Louisiana man has been sentenced to decades in prison following a deadly robbery that ended with a young man fatally shot inside a vehicle at an Amarillo motel. Prosecutors said the crime stemmed from a planned drug deal that turned violent when the suspects lacked the money to complete the purchase.
The case centers on the shooting death of 24-year-old Brandon Slade Ward, who was killed in November 2022 at the Camelot Inn along Interstate 40.
Incident Overview
Court records show that Braxton Lee Leonard, 24, of Louisiana, was sentenced to 45 years in prison for his role in the fatal robbery and shooting. Investigators determined that Leonard fired a rifle into a vehicle during what authorities described as a drug-related robbery gone wrong.
Ward was found dead inside a black Lexus in the motel parking lot, having suffered a fatal gunshot wound.
Timeline of Events
On November 17, 2022, police were dispatched to the Camelot Inn at 2508 East I-40 after receiving reports of a shooting. When officers arrived, they discovered Ward slumped in the passenger seat of the Lexus.
According to court documents, a witness told investigators that he and Ward had gone to the motel to sell marijuana to a buyer they had arranged to meet there. The witness contacted the buyer upon arrival, and shortly afterward, a pickup truck carrying two men pulled into the parking lot next to their vehicle.
Details From Police and Investigators
Investigators identified the truck’s driver as Marwahn Khalid Evans, 25, who exited the vehicle and began speaking with the witness. Moments later, the passenger stepped out of the truck holding a rifle and fired through the Lexus windshield, striking Ward.
“The incident was determined to be a robbery gone wrong,” court documents state, noting the suspects did not have enough money to pay for the marijuana.
Both suspects fled the scene immediately after the shooting.
Key Facts From the Case
- Victim: Brandon Slade Ward, age 24
- Shooter: Braxton Lee Leonard, age 24
- Driver: Marwahn Khalid Evans, age 25
- Location: Camelot Inn, 2508 East I-40, Amarillo
- Date: November 17, 2022
- Sentence: 45 years in prison
- Charge: Capital murder and aggravated robbery
Evidence and Arrests
Police later obtained video evidence that supported the witness’s account. The footage reportedly showed Leonard running away on foot before returning to the pickup truck and driving away.
A cell phone belonging to Evans was recovered at the scene. A search warrant revealed location data placing both Evans and Leonard at the motel during the shooting, according to investigators. Leonard later admitted during a homicide interview that he arrived at the motel armed with a rifle and drove the pickup truck away after the shooting.
He also told detectives he returned to pick up Evans, who had fled on foot.
Role of a Third Suspect
The investigation revealed a third individual involved in planning the robbery: Jeffrey Venta Jabre Walker, 31, of Louisiana, who is Leonard’s older brother. Cell phone records showed Walker coordinated the meeting and communicated with both suspects before and after the shooting.
As a result, all three men were indicted by a Potter County grand jury in March 2023 on charges of capital murder and aggravated robbery.
Walker was later sentenced to 25 years in prison in May 2024 by a Louisiana judge for unrelated drug and firearm offenses. As part of his plea agreement, he waived his right to appeal and agreed to be transferred to Potter County to face trial in Ward’s murder. He was moved to the Potter County jail in August.
Public Safety and Awareness
Law enforcement officials continue to warn about the dangers associated with drug-related transactions, especially those arranged through informal or unverified contacts. Authorities say such encounters frequently escalate into violence, robberies, or fatal outcomes.
Police encourage anyone involved in or aware of criminal activity to report concerns before situations turn deadly.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Braxton Lee Leonard brings a measure of closure in a case that began as a planned drug deal and ended with the loss of a young life. Proceedings against the remaining defendants are ongoing, and prosecutors say accountability remains a priority.
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