Police investigating a pair of homicides

Bremerton police have arrested two suspects in connection with the death of a 22-year-old man found in his Washington Avenue apartment Friday, Aug. 26. Investigators have determined that the homicide was drug-related.

Roy Kenneth “Kenny” Stillwagon II, who turned 27 less than two weeks ago, and Lucas Alan Johnson, 24, were booked into Kitsap County Jail Monday night following a tip received by detectives Sunday afternoon that led investigators to the pair. The two men face charges of first-degree murder and first-degree robbery.

The body of Leonard W. Brown III was discovered by his two roommates just after 7 a.m. on Aug. 26 inside their residence on the 600 block of Washington Avenue. Court documents state that the suspects arrived at Brown’s home between 1:30 and 2:30 a.m.

According to police reports, Johnson and Stillwagon allegedly planned to rob Brown of drugs and cash and entered his residence, carrying a bat and a gun. A confrontation with Brown allegedly took place in which the victim punched Johnson, chipping his tooth. Stillwagon allegedly fired a gun, first striking Johnson’s arm and then hitting Brown in the chest and killing him.

Police later found a small amount of crystal methamphetamine in the trunk of Brown’s Chevrolet Malibu and a substance that is possibly cocaine in his bedroom.

Detectives recovered evidence at Stillwagon’s residence including items that contained blood after serving a search warrant, according to court documents. Investigators also have a suspect vehicle in their possession.

Johnson and Stillwagon made their initial court appearance in Kitsap County Superior Court Tuesday afternoon. Johnson appeared with a long gauze bandage on his left arm. Bail for each suspect was set at $1 million.

Kitsap County Deputy Prosecutor Chris Casad indicated that Stillwagon has a long criminal history in asking for $1 million figure.

“The defendant has a past full of robberies, burglaries, assaults and other crimes,” Casad stated to Kitsap County Superior Court Judge Karlynn Haberly.

The fact that neither defendant has a permanent address could also indicate a flight risk. Court documents state that Stillwagon attempted to crawl out of the Callow Avenue apartment where he was staying onto the roof and was captured by Bremerton police officers when he climbed down to the pavement.

An attorney for Johnson told the court that he has relatives living in the North Mason area. Casad told the court Johnson may not have as extensive a criminal past as Stillwagon, but said it was important to note that the crime he has been arrested for took place while he is in the court system for a drug-related charge.

“(His) criminal history may not be as serious as his co-defendant,” Casad said, but added that Johnson’s arrest was for violation of the Uniform Controlled Substance Act.

Stillwagon was formally charged Wednesday and Johnson was scheduled to be arraigned Friday afternoon.

Brown had been attending Olympic College before his death, and in his younger years, went to Mountain View Middle School. Former classmates recalled that Brown had played the drums in the school’s band. A memorial for Brown was planned for Thursday afternoon at Evergreen Park.

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