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Cameron Lamb was a 26-year-old Black man from Kansas City, Missouri. He was a father to three young children and was described by his family and friends as a caring and hardworking individual. Lamb was also a car enthusiast, known for his love of working on vehicles and participating in car-related activities. His dedication to his children and passion for cars painted him as a person committed to his family and personal interests.
A Timeline Of The Crime
The incident involving Cameron Lamb occurred on December 3, 2019, in Kansas City, Missouri, and culminated in his tragic death at the hands of Kansas City Police Detective Eric DeValkenaere. The event began with a domestic dispute between Lamb and his girlfriend, leading to a high-speed car chase through residential streets. Undercover officers observed the chase and some associated traffic infractions but chose not to intervene directly. Lamb eventually ended the pursuit and returned to his home in the 4100 block of College Avenue, where the critical events unfolded.
Two Detectives Enter His Property
At Lamb’s residence, two detectives, Eric DeValkenaere and Troy Schwalm, entered the property without a warrant or explicit consent. DeValkenaere claimed that Lamb, who was in his vehicle backing into a garage, posed an immediate threat. The officer stated that he saw Lamb point a firearm at his partner, Schwalm, prompting him to fire his weapon. However, this account was disputed during subsequent investigations and court proceedings, with conflicting evidence about whether Lamb had a gun in his hand at the time of the shooting.
Authorities Investigated DeValkenaere
The investigation into Eric DeValkenaere revealed significant procedural and ethical concerns. From the outset, questions arose regarding the legitimacy of the actions taken by DeValkenaere and his partner, Troy Schwalm, as well as the broader response by law enforcement to the incident. These issues became focal points in both the investigation and the subsequent trial.
Delay In EMTs To The Scene
The delayed response in granting Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) access to Cameron Lamb, after Kansas City Police Detective Eric DeValkenaere shot him on December 3, 2019, sparked significant concerns during both the investigation and trial. After DeValkenaere fired four shots that struck Lamb in the chest and leg, Lamb remained critically wounded in his vehicle. Despite the apparent urgency of the situation, the police officers on the scene held off EMTs from providing immediate medical care.
Police Waited Eight Minutes
Court testimony revealed that after the shooting, officers waited nearly eight minutes before entering the garage where Lamb was located. They delayed access further while waiting for a ballistic shield to secure the scene. When officers finally cleared the area and confirmed Lamb was unresponsive, police initially told emergency medical responders to disregard the call, effectively denying Lamb potentially life-saving care. It was only after a reversal of this decision that EMTs were allowed to assess Lamb, but by that point, he had already succumbed to his injuries.
The delay in medical intervention became a central issue in the trial, as the autopsy report noted “no evidence of medical intervention.” Prosecutors argued that the officers’ actions demonstrated a failure to prioritize Lamb’s life after the shooting. The withholding of timely medical care drew criticism not only for its implications in Lamb’s death but also for what it signified about systemic issues within law enforcement practices.
The Unwarranted Entry Onto Property
One of the most critical aspects of the investigation centered on the detectives’ unauthorized entry onto Lamb’s private property. Neither DeValkenaere nor Schwalm had a warrant, nor was there probable cause or imminent danger to justify their presence. This breach of protocol was highlighted during the trial, with the presiding judge labeling the detectives as “the initial aggressors” in the encounter. Their actions violated constitutional protections against illegal searches and seizures, undermining the legitimacy of the encounter from its inception.
The Crime Scene Was Staged
A key point of contention in the investigation focused on allegations that police staged the crime scene. Prosecutors asserted that officers planted evidence, specifically a black Glock handgun, near Lamb’s left hand after the shooting. Furthermore, testimonies supported this claim, indicating that the weapon was originally on a set of stairs near the garage but was later moved to align with DeValkenaere account that Lamb had drawn a gun. A tactical response officer testified that he did not see a gun when entering the scene, adding to the suspicion of evidence tampering. These allegations fueled public and legal scrutiny of the case.
Bias Within Kansas Police Department
Additionally, the investigation was marred by questions of bias within the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD). Critics pointed to the department’s initial reluctance to transfer the case to an independent body and its apparent attempts to shield DeValkenaere. This was compounded by conflicting statements and inconsistencies in the officers’ testimonies, including Schwalm’s admission that he did not see a gun in Lamb’s hand.
The Charges That He Faced
Eric DeValkenaere, a former Kansas City police detective, faced significant legal repercussions following the fatal shooting of Cameron Lamb, a 26-year-old Black man, on December 3, 2019. The charges brought against him included second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action, and these charges highlighted the contentious nature of his actions as well as broader concerns about policing practices.
Second Degree Involuntary Manslaughter
The charge of second-degree involuntary manslaughter reflected the court’s finding that DeValkenaere actions were negligent and directly led to Lamb’s death. Prosecutors successfully argued that DeValkenaere and his partner, Detective Troy Schwalm, entered Lamb’s property without a warrant, consent, or probable cause. They escalated what had been a resolved situation into one that ended in deadly force. Jackson County Judge Dale Youngs, who presided over the bench trial, noted that the detectives’ actions violated legal protections against unlawful search and seizure, emphasizing that they had no legal justification to be on Lamb’s property.
Armed Criminal Action
The armed criminal action conviction was tied to DeValkenaere use of a firearm during the commission of the unlawful act. The court found that he used his weapon inappropriately and without justification, resulting in Lamb’s death. The judge described the officers as “the initial aggressors” in the encounter and stated that they had a duty to retreat but instead chose to use deadly force.
Was Officially Convicted
The court officially convicted Eric DeValkenaere, a former Kansas City police detective, of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action for fatally shooting Cameron Lamb on December 3, 2019.
December 2024, Eric Is Commuted
On December 20, 2024, Missouri Governor Mike Parson commuted the sentence of Eric DeValkenaere, a former Kansas City police detective convicted in 2021 of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action for the fatal shooting of Cameron Lamb, an unarmed Black man. This decision, which reduced DeValkenaere six-year prison sentence after he had served approximately 430 days, drew significant backlash from Lamb’s family, activists, and local leaders.
Pardon By A Former County Sheriff
Governor Parson issued DeValkenaere commutation alongside 16 pardons and eight other commutations; however, he offered no detailed explanation for his decision. The move, widely anticipated, followed earlier hints from Parson, a former county sheriff, about his intention to release DeValkenaere. Meanwhile, the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police celebrated the decision, calling the commutation a correction of a “grave injustice” against a law enforcement officer. However, critics argued that it undermined the judicial process and accountability for police misconduct.
How The Family Of Cameron Felt
The family of Cameron Lamb, including his mother Laurie Bey, expressed deep frustration and sorrow, stating that the commutation disregarded the court’s findings and the suffering of the victim’s family. Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, who had successfully pursued the case against DeValkenaere, called the decision a “cowardly” act that failed to consult the victims or the Kansas City community. The Urban League of Greater Kansas City also criticized the action, describing it as an act of systemic racism that protected white privilege at the expense of Black lives.
This commutation has reignited debates about police accountability, the role of gubernatorial clemency in cases of public concern, and the persistent racial disparities in the justice system. It also renewed calls for local control of the Kansas City Police Department, which remains under state jurisdiction.
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FAQs on Eric DeValkenaere Case
Eric DeValkenaere was charged with second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action for the fatal shooting of Cameron Lamb on December 3, 2019.
The conviction was controversial due to allegations of evidence tampering, unauthorized entry onto private property, and debates over whether Lamb posed a threat at the time of the shooting.
The court found that DeValkenaere unlawfully entered Lamb’s property without a warrant or probable cause, and that Lamb was unarmed and not threatening force when he was shot.
Commutation reduced DeValkenaere’s six-year prison sentence, allowing his release after serving approximately 430 days. It does not erase his conviction but shortens the sentence.
The public reaction was polarized, with activists and Lamb’s family criticizing the decision as unjust, while law enforcement groups praised it as support for police officers.
