Five suspects from Las Vegas have been charged with the murder of a man in the aftermath of a January 12, 2023 home invasion that took a devastating turn. 

Initially detained for the robbery, their charges were upgraded following the death of the elderly victim who sustained severe injuries during the crime.

78-year-old Hong Shu Liu became a casualty of this brutal event. He was bound and violently pistol-whipped during the invasion. His wife also faced terror when her head was forced underwater. Liu succumbed to his injuries and passed away on September 17.

The suspects, identified as Raven Queen, Antonio Washington, Denzale Lee, Howard Cavitt, and Lamonte Butler, all in their 20s, are now facing escalated charges. They are indicted for the murder of Liu, in addition to other charges related to the home invasion.

Court details point to Queen as the potential mastermind behind a string of aggressive home invasions and burglaries. She is alleged to have orchestrated these violent episodes and is now facing a staggering 22 charges ranging from murder and attempted murder to kidnapping.

Las Vegas police emphasize that this wasn’t an isolated incident. Their investigations have linked the suspects to as many as 11 similar burglaries, suggesting an organized crime spree. In total, eight individuals have been implicated in these crimes. However, among them, only Queen, Washington, Lee, Cavitt, and Butler are charged with Liu’s murder.

The specific roles of each suspect during the home invasion remain under scrutiny. Initial reports indicate that on the night of Liu’s home invasion, Queen remained outside the residence, likely serving as a lookout.

The suspects were arraigned in court on Wednesday, October 18, with a calendar call scheduled for October 30.