Authorities in New Jersey have shot and killed 41-year-old Shamar Leggette, a suspect in the 2022 robbery of nearly $1 million in jewelry from a Brooklyn bishop that was captured on a live stream. The U.S. marshals attempted to detain Leggette at a New Jersey hotel on Wednesday afternoon. According to two senior law enforcement officials, Leggette was killed after shooting at the marshals. He was listed as one of New York state’s most wanted fugitives.
In July 2022, Lamor Miller-Whitehead, known as the “bling bishop,” was in the middle of a livestreamed sermon in Brooklyn for his Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministries when three armed thieves walked in and demanded jewelry and other goods. They reportedly made off with $1 million in jewelry, including luxury watches. Two men were charged in 2022 with the robbery, while Leggette, the third suspect, had remained at large.
On Wednesday, Miller-Whitehead mentioned in an Instagram video that Leggette had put a gun in the face of his wife and eight-month-old daughter. Leggette had a history of robberies and had previously served nearly seven years in prison for robbery, attempted murder, and weapons possession, according to reports.
Miller-Whitehead, a friend of New York City mayor Eric Adams, was himself arrested in December of 2022 for fraud, extortion, and false statements. The indictment alleged that he took $90,000 in retirement savings from a parishioner, promised to help them buy a home, and then spent the money on luxury items.
Overall, the incident sheds light on the dangers faced by individuals and clergy members, as well as the complex web of criminal activity surrounding the case. The involvement of a high-profile figure like Miller-Whitehead, along with the suspect’s violent history, adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation. It remains to be seen how this case will unfold in the coming days and whether it will bring about any changes in security measures for public figures.