Lexington police arrest suspect who shot a 10-year-old in February
An “armed and dangerous” shooting suspect in Lexington was arrested Thursday, police said.
Quantaveon Leavell, 25, was booked into the Fayette County Detention Center Thursday. He is facing two counts of assault, two counts of wanton endangerment, two counts of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, criminal mischief, receiving a stolen firearm and tampering with physical evidence, according to jail records.
On Feb. 4 a 10-year-old juvenile was inside a residence on the 1000 block of E. New Circle Road when they were hit by a bullet from a shooting in the parking lot of a neighboring business, according to police. The juvenile was shot in the back and suffered serious injuries but non-fatal injuries, according to police and court documents.
The juvenile was not thought to have been targeted in the shooting, which occurred at 3:25 a.m., police said. The business where the shooting happened was Cheetah Gentleman’s Club, according to court documents.
Court documents say Leavell fired his gun toward three individuals in the parking lot of the club. Several vehicles in the parking lot suffered damage from the gunshots, and the damage is estimated to cost over $1,000.
During the investigation, detectives determined that Leavell was in possession of the gun used in the shooting, court documents say. Digital evidence also placed Leavell at the scene when the shooting happened.
Leavell talked about damage to his vehicle’s bumper, which is consistent with the damage that occurred during the shooting, court documents say. The vehicle belonged to his mother.
Additionally, detectives learned that Leavell’s gun may have been used in additional shootings, including one that happened less than 24 hours after the shooting at the club, according to court documents. A witness told police Leavell was in the area of the second shooting when it happened.
Police later revealed Leavell as the suspect in the first shooting and labeled him as “armed and dangerous.”
Approximately one month later, Leavell allegedly pistol whipped a man who he was temporarily sharing an apartment with, according to court documents.
The man stepped in between Leavell and his girlfriend, who were having an argument. Court documents say Leavell went to his bedroom, grabbed a handgun and pistol whipped the victim while he and two other females were gathering their belongings to leave the apartment.
After the assault, the victim fled the apartment and was met by police, according to court documents. He told officers he was fearful for his life and that he may be shot at.
The victim did not know Leavell or his girlfriend prior to the night of the incident, according to court documents.
Leavell was on parole after previously being convicted of three counts of second-degree robbery and two counts of fleeing/evading police, stemming from two separate cases, according to Kentucky Online Offender website. He began parole in November 2021 and was scheduled to stay on parole until October 2024.
In 2016 Leavell robbed one gas station and crashed a stolen Jeep into a Lexington police car, then leading police on a chase, police said.
Leavell is being held on a $100,000 bond on one of the assault charges, $50,000 on the other assault charge and $5,000 on the receiving a stolen firearm charge, according to jail records.
This story was originally published April 14, 2023 at 6:55 AM.
