No one has ever been charged with killing Stack Bundles. The Far Rockaway rapper, born Rayquan Elliot, was shot dead in the lobby of his building in June 2007, and police informants named Lee Woods as the shooter in what they described as a botched robbery. Prosecutors never filed murder charges against Woods for that killing. He is in prison for life, but for a different crime committed weeks later. The question of who killed Stack Bundles remains officially unanswered.
The Shooting at the Redfern Houses
Elliot was shot early on June 11, 2007, in the lobby of 14-60 Beach Channel Drive at the Redfern Houses in Far Rockaway, Queens. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was found inside the building. One detail cut against the robbery theory from the start: his wallet, still containing cash and credit cards, was left on his body. What was missing was one of his signature medallion chains. A straightforward robbery would take the cash. Taking only the chain pointed to something more targeted.
Charles White, the First Suspect
Police quickly identified Charles White, a 20-year-old from the area, as a person of interest. White left New York for Virginia the same day Elliot was killed. He returned on June 18 and was found shot to death inside a vacant home in Springfield Gardens, Queens. He was on a sofa with a pillow over his head, a leg wound, and two bullet wounds to the ear.1The Wave. Suspect In Bundles Shooting Found Murdered
The NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner for Public Information declined to directly link White’s murder to Elliot’s killing, but police sources told local media they believed the two shootings were connected and that detectives from the Queens Homicide Squad were investigating both.1The Wave. Suspect In Bundles Shooting Found Murdered No arrests were made in either case.
Lee Woods Named by Informants
Within weeks of the killing, police informants told investigators that Lee Woods had shot Stack Bundles during a botched robbery attempt.2AllHipHop. Suspect In NY Police Shootings Accused Of Killing Stack Bundles Woods was known to law enforcement. He had two prior felony convictions, including a 1993 shooting that left a man paralyzed, and he was himself a registered NYPD informant who had been paid $1,600 starting in February 2007.3New York Daily News. Russel Timoshenko Killer Lee Woods Was an NYPD Informant, Report Says
No murder charges were filed against Woods for Elliot’s killing. The reasons have never been publicly explained. In practice, informant statements without corroborating physical evidence or additional witnesses often fall short of what prosecutors need to bring a murder case.
What Woods Was Convicted of Instead
Less than a month after Elliot was killed, Woods was involved in the crime that defined his legal fate. On July 9, 2007, NYPD officers Russel Timoshenko and Herman Yan pulled over a stolen SUV at Lefferts Avenue and Rogers Avenue in Brooklyn. Woods was driving. His accomplices, Dexter Bostic and Robert Ellis, opened fire from inside the vehicle as the officers approached. Timoshenko was shot in the face and died five days later. Yan was hit in the arm and chest and survived because of his bulletproof vest.4NYC.gov. Detective First Grade Russel Timoshenko
After a first trial ended in a mistrial, Woods was convicted of Detective Timoshenko’s murder in a second trial. He received life in prison without parole, plus 40 years for the attempted aggravated murder of Detective Yan and 25 more years for weapons possession.5News 12 Brooklyn. Lee Woods Sentenced to Life Without Parole Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Abraham Gerges said there was “no punishment within the court’s power that can redress the loss of this fine police officer.”6New York Daily News. Cop-Killer Lee Woods Sentenced to Life in Prison Plus 40 Years for Timoshenko Murder
Why the Case Is Still Open
Woods will spend the rest of his life in prison, but not for killing Stack Bundles. The informant statements pointing to him were never backed by enough additional evidence to support formal charges, and no other suspects have been publicly identified since White’s death closed off the first lead. The NYPD has not announced any new developments.
Anyone with information can contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, which offers rewards of up to $3,500 for anonymous tips leading to the arrest and indictment of violent felons.7New York City Police Foundation. Reward Programs