Local Oakland rapper Michai Adams, known by his stage name ChaiBenjii4, is currently wanted on a murder charge stemming from a violent shootout at a corner store that claimed the life of 50-year-old Lamar Payne. Despite Adams' notoriety in the local rap scene and the widespread dissemination of the charges against him, he has managed to elude law enforcement for three weeks. This case has sparked conversations about gun violence, the criminal justice system, and the intersection of fame and criminality in the East Bay.
The Incident and the Wanted Rapper
On the evening of September 7, 2024, gunfire erupted outside a corner store near E Street and 105th Avenue in Oakland. According to The Mercury News, surveillance footage captured the chaos as at least three gunmen, including Adams, engaged in a shootout. The crossfire tragically resulted in the death of Payne, who was standing outside the store at the time.
Adams, 21, along with two other suspects, has been implicated in the violent altercation. Court records reveal that one of the suspects, Keyante Reed, 18, has been charged with murder but was released from jail after presenting a self-defense argument, bolstered by his status as a college student. In contrast, Tamarkus Killensworth, 21, faces charges for firearm possession as a felon and is currently incarcerated without bail after missing a court date.
UPDATE: I've learned convicted felon Michai Adams, 21, also charged by @AlamedaCountyDA w/murder in shooting near 105th & E that killed Lamore Payne, 49 (pic) - & sent bullet flying through bedroom window of 3yo boy, who wasn't hurt pic.twitter.com/q31Gr6vCEX
— Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) April 15, 2025
Community Impact and Social Media
The shootout not only ended Payne's life but also sent a bullet through the bedroom window of a 3-year-old boy, who, fortunately, was unharmed. This detail, shared by KTVU reporter Henry K. Lee on his Twitter account, underscores the indiscriminate danger of the incident and the profound relief that an even greater tragedy was averted.
Despite the gravity of the charges and the attention from local media and a YouTube crime channel, Swamp Storiez, Adams remains at large. The case has raised questions about the influence of gang affiliations in the community, as authorities assert that both Adams and Killensworth are members of the Baby Benji Gang, with Killensworth previously investigated for a series of robberies.
Disparities in Judicial Responses
The case has also highlighted disparities in the judicial response to the suspects involved. While Reed was initially denied bail, a subsequent hearing saw Judge Elena Condes release him, citing his college enrollment and personal history. This decision came despite surveillance footage suggesting Reed continued to shoot at retreating individuals, as noted by The Mercury News. Meanwhile, Killensworth remains jailed, and Adams, with more than 1.6 million views on his YouTube channel for his music, is still a fugitive.
The community's response to the case has been mixed, with some expressing support for Reed, as evidenced by letters from Laney College staff and educators, and others expressing outrage and grief over Payne's death. A social media post from one of Payne's family members celebrated an incident where Reed was reportedly attacked in jail, reflecting the raw emotions and complex narratives entwined in this ongoing saga.
The search for Michai Adams continues.
