Lansing Police Identify Shooters in 2009 Murder
Investigators have officially identified the two men responsible for a cold case homicide on West Cavanaugh Road.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Violence
Lansing police have identified the two men responsible for the 2009 shooting death of 19-year-old Edric Hinton. Both the suspected shooter and the getaway driver are now deceased.
Why it matters
The identification brings closure to a long-standing homicide investigation that remained unsolved for 17 years. Officials were able to link the crime to the suspects after recovering the murder weapon.
The Michigan State Police Crime Lab successfully matched shell casings found at the scene to a 12-gauge shotgun recovered by investigators in the fall of 2025. Both individuals identified as suspects in the case are currently deceased.
The players
Edric Hinton
He was the 19-year-old victim of the 2009 shooting.
Esteban Reyes Jr.
He was identified by police as the shooter in the 2009 homicide.
Lee Anthony Lynn
He was identified by investigators as the getaway driver for the crime.
Detective Thielen
He was the officer who began a formal review of the cold case file in 2019.
Michigan State Police Crime Lab
The agency provided the forensic evidence needed to match shell casings to the murder weapon.
The details
Edric Hinton was fatally wounded by a shotgun blast fired through an apartment window in the 900 block of West Cavanaugh Road. While the victim was pronounced dead 30 minutes later, the case was only fully resolved following a file review that began in 2019.
Timeline
August 1, 2009: Edric Hinton was fatally shot in Lansing.
2019: Detective Thielen began reviewing the case file.
Fall 2025: Investigators recovered the buried murder weapon.
October 12, 2026: The police chief announced the resolution of the case.
Legal Context
This resolution follows a multi-year effort to clear the 2009 West Cavanaugh Road homicide case through renewed forensic analysis. It highlights the city's ongoing commitment to re-examining cold cases long after the original incident occurs.
The resolution of this long-standing cold case provides answers to the local community regarding a violent crime that occurred on West Cavanaugh Road. Residents can observe how the local police department continues to prioritize cold case reviews to maintain public safety.
The takeaway
The successful identification of the perpetrators highlights the efficacy of combining modern forensic technology with persistent cold case reviews. It serves as a reminder that investigative work continues long after the initial news cycle regarding a violent crime ends.
Further reading
For more information on similar investigative efforts, visit the Lansing Violence page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by People.
