A Playstation basketball game helped solve a nearly four-year-old murder case in Michigan, as the victim was playing just before the fatal attack occurred.
Audio recorded on the gaming system helped to eventually identify the killer, who took the life of Daushawn LamarrGuthridge, 41, when he was at his at his home in Flint on July 10, 2019.
The attack came during an armed robbery, in a case that forced police to initially call for the public’s help, reports NBC News.
On Monday, Darel King was finally charged in connection to the incident, according to newly released court documents.
The arrest came after an anonymous tip was sent from an individual who claimed to have been remotely playing with Guthridge at the time of the murder.
The witness said the two had been playing an online Playstation 4 basketball game, and that audio was recorded in which they could hear integral sounds from the killing.
“We heard all the arguments, and further gun shots,” the tipster said, according to the affidavit. “I hope this video helps,” they added.
The recording was turned over to investigators, who were able to listen to the dispute between the victim and killer, said Special Agent Dustin Hurt, the affidavit’s author.
Hurt transcribed the conversation, in which the suspect demanded cash and “bows,” a slang term for a package of marijuana.
“Don’t move. Talk quick. Where is the money at? You got thirty seconds bro,” the suspect said.
A short time after making threats, there were then 12 gunshots heard on the recording.
King had already been a suspect in the investigation, and witnesses were able to identify his voice from the PlayStation recording, said Hurt.
He is now being held without bail, awaiting his court date on June 5.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is now reportedly pursuing the case as well, since the robbery included drugs that are regulated by federal statutes pertaining to interstate commerce, an agency spokesperson said.