Shamar Leggette: 'Most wanted' alleged mastermind in robbery of 'Bling Bishop' shot dead by US Marshals

Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, NEW JERSEY: Shamar Leggette, 41, the alleged mastermind behind the notorious heist targeting Brooklyn 'Bling Bishop' Lamor Whitehead, was shot dead by US Marshals in New Jersey on Wednesday, January 24.

The incident unfolded at the MHO Inn and Suites in Monmouth Junction as law enforcement attempted to arrest Leggette for his role in the armed robbery that shocked the community during a live-streamed church service in 2022.

Timeline of Shamar Leggette's infamous church robbery of Bishop Lamor Whitehead

The suspect's notoriety escalated after the brazen church robbery last year, during which Leggette and two accomplices, Juwan Anderson and Say-Quan Pollack, held Bishop Whitehead, his wife, and their child at gunpoint during a live-streamed sermon at the Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministries in Canarsie.

Anderson and Pollack were arrested shortly after the incident, leaving Leggette as the primary target for law enforcement.

The startling footage of the heist captured the shocking moment when the masked assailants stormed the church, robbing Bishop Whitehead and his wife of valuable possessions, including a $75,000 Rolex watch, a $75,000 Cavalier watch, and a $25,000 ruby and diamond ring.

Shamar Leggette shot dead by US Marshals in NJ

Leggette, who has served two stints in state prison, and held the unenviable position as the third most wanted fugitive in New York, reportedly exited the hotel firing at officers, leading the Marshals to return fire, resulting in his death.

A woman accompanying Leggette inside the hotel surrendered peacefully before the fatal confrontation, according to NBC New York. Nevertheless, his accomplices in the Brooklyn church robbery, Anderson and Pollack, have since pleaded guilty to their involvement in the crime.

Bishop Lamor Whitehead extends condolence and free pastoral services for Shamar Leggette's funeral

Bishop Whitehead, who took to Instagram Live to address the developments, expressed his condolences to the suspect's family and revealed that Leggette was the perpetrator who had put a gun to his wife's and eight-month-old daughter's faces during the robbery.

“So this is the guy that was at large and he came and put the gun to my head and ripped my clergy collar off and ripped my chains off and he was just brutal,” Whitehead said.

“My condolences really go out to his family. This is a sad situation where once again, we as African American people — it’s a cycle of destruction. It’s so senseless.”

Despite the traumatic experience, the bishop, currently facing extortion and wire fraud charges, declared forgiveness towards all three assailants and offered his pastoral services for Leggette's funeral free of charge.

Shamar Leggette's troublesome criminal history

Leggette's criminal history was marked by multiple incarcerations, with the latest release on parole just six months before the high-profile church robbery.

His past convictions included a 2003-2010 stint for first-degree robbery involving former NBA player Chris Childs outside a Manhattan restaurant owned by Sean “P Diddy” Combs.

Leggette, then 20, aimed a firearm at Childs while his fellow robbers relieved the former NBA player of his $20,000 watch, $800 in cash, and his cell phone.

When accomplices ordered Leggette to pull the trigger, in a moment of desperation, Childs pleaded for him to stop and ultimately handed his $3,500 diamond ring to the assailants.

Subsequently, he was convicted for attempted murder and robbery in Queens in which he seized $7,000 cash from a woman heading to the bank and then discharged a firearm at a bystander, though fortunately, the shot missed its mark.

Furthermore, Leggette was also wanted in Rhode Island for shooting and robbing a man of $50,000 worth of jewelry in Providence this August, ABC6 reported.