Detroit man denied bail in death of strip club security guard

Detroit — The man accused of killing another man last month after a fight at a strip club on Eight Mile has been charged with murder, officials said.

James Kimball Jr., 35, was charged Thursday in connection with the death of Lamar Waller, also of Detroit.

Kimball was arraigned in 36th District Court Thursday on first-degree murder, according to authorities. A magistrate ordered him remanded to the Wayne County Jail and scheduled his next court appearance for Aug. 18.

If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.

Investigators allege Kimball killed Waller July 12 at the Ace of Spades Gentlemen’s Club in the 18900 block of Eight Mile.

Officials said Wednesday an argument between the two men spilled over into a nearby parking lot. According to media reports, Waller worked as a security guard at the club.

They said Kimball got into his car, accelerated and struck Waller before fleeing. Waller died from his injuries on July 18.

Detroit police investigated the incident and a tip led officers to Kimball, who was arrested Monday in Southfield.

Police learned he was a passenger in a car on the 20000 block of Greenfield Road in Southfield; Detroit police asked Southfield counterparts to help with his apprehension. 

“The Southfield officers initiated a traffic stop, at which time the female driver fled from the officers,” Southfield police Chief Elvin Barren told reporters during a news conference Wednesday.

Officers deployed a maneuver to end the pursuit, Barren said.

During the news conference Wednesday, Waller’s wife, Bianca Waller, said it’s been difficult for her and her two children in the aftermath.

“My daughter’s birthday was just yesterday, so you can only imagine how hard that was to have a birthday without him here,” she said. “My husband was a protector. He’s a strong, strong man and I just hope to continue to carry his strength on, not only for myself, but for my kids.”

She added: “The father he was, the husband he was, he really is a person that so many will miss and I just don’t know what my life would be like without him. But this is a start to healing.”