Two Duluth Men Face Charges After Fatal Home Invasion Incident
It’s a chilling story that’s left many of us in Duluth shaken: two men, Steven Shotley and Lance Houle, have been charged after a home invasion that turned into a tragic homicide just hours later. I know you’re probably wondering how a robbery could escalate so quickly into something so deadly, and trust me, you’re not alone in asking that.
The details of this case are unsettling, but they also teach us important lessons about crime, justice, and the community.
On the night of June 14, 2025, Shotley and Houle broke into a unit at Firehouse Flats in downtown Duluth. They violently assaulted a man named D.W., stealing $1,500 from him before running off. D.W. was badly injured and rushed to the hospital, but the story didn’t end there. After calling a friend from Minneapolis to pick him up, the situation took an even darker turn.
D.W.’s phone call set off a chain of events that would lead to the murder of Cody Telega, a resident of the same building. Telega was shot and killed by Antonio Hendon, and while the motive is still unclear, what we do know is that these two crimes are linked in a way that’s hard to ignore. You might be asking, how could something like this happen, and could it have been prevented?
I’ll walk you through the timeline of these events, the charges against the men involved, and what it all means for the community. By the end of this, I hope you’ll see that this isn’t just a story about crime—it’s a wake-up call for all of us. Keep reading as we unpack the real implications of this tragedy.
What Happened During the Duluth Home Invasion?
Let me walk you through what exactly happened that night. On June 14, 2025, just after 10:30 p.m., two men, Steven Shotley and Lance Houle, broke into an apartment at Firehouse Flats. This building is located on East 3rd Street and 1st Avenue East in downtown Duluth.
From what we know, they assaulted a man named D.W., who was inside the apartment. They didn’t just rob him—they violently attacked him and stole $1,500 in cash before fleeing the scene.
But what’s even more chilling is what happened to D.W. after the attack. Despite his injuries, he managed to call a friend in Minneapolis, asking them to come pick him up from the hospital. This phone call set off a chain of events that no one could have predicted.
According to Northern News Now, this was just the beginning of a night that would end in another tragic loss of life. The invasion and the events that followed are a stark reminder of how quickly violence can escalate when it’s least expected.
After reading about the brutal nature of this home invasion, what do you think should be done to prevent such crimes? Drop your thoughts in the comments below — we’d love to hear your perspective.
The Role of Antonio Hendon and Amber Walker
Now, you might be wondering, who else is involved in all of this? Let’s talk about Antonio Hendon and Amber Walker. After D.W.’s call, Hendon and Walker made their way to Duluth. Hendon, in particular, is accused of shooting and killing Cody Telega hours later. Telega, who lived in the same apartment complex as D.W., was shot and killed in the same unit that was targeted during the home invasion.
At this point, it’s unclear why Hendon would have targeted Telega, but the fact that both crimes are connected to the same location makes this case even more complicated. Amber Walker, who was with Hendon, has been charged with aiding an offender, as she allegedly assisted Hendon in fleeing the scene.
I’m sure you’re asking, what was Hendon’s motive? Why Telega? And what could have prevented this from escalating? Right now, the answers remain unclear, but these are the questions that law enforcement is trying to piece together.
This case isn’t the first time a home invasion has escalated quickly. Just recently, in Burke County, a man was arrested for a similar incident.
What Led to Cody Telega’s Murder?
The most unsettling part of this entire case is the murder of Cody Telega. He was only 37 years old, and he lived in the same unit where the home invasion occurred. But why would Hendon shoot him? Was it an act of revenge, or something random that escalated out of control?
What we do know is that Hendon was involved in the robbery, and then he was allegedly responsible for Telega’s death. But here’s the thing—it’s not yet clear what sparked the shooting.
It could have been tied to the robbery, or perhaps there was some personal history between Hendon and Telega that we don’t know about yet. The unanswered questions only add to the tragic nature of this crime.
If you’re like me, you’re probably wondering: Could this tragedy have been avoided? What would have made a difference in preventing this loss of life? These are difficult questions to answer, but they’re ones that need to be asked as we try to make sense of what happened.
As we continue to follow the legal proceedings in Duluth, it’s worth reflecting on how the legal system addresses these crimes. If you’ve been following similar cases, you might find our previous article on an attempted home invasion in Michigan interesting.
The Legal Fallout: Charges and Potential Sentences
Let’s talk about what comes next legally for the men involved. Both Steven Shotley and Lance Houle are facing serious charges for aggravated robbery. That means they could be facing years in prison if convicted. And, of course, they’re not the only ones—Antonio Hendon is charged with murder, while Amber Walker faces charges for aiding an offender.
The legal consequences of these charges are far-reaching, and the court system will now have to decide their fates. For Hendon, the murder charge is the most serious, and if convicted, he could face a lengthy sentence. As for Shotley and Houle, their charges for the robbery are no less significant. The theft of $1,500, along with the assault, puts them in a very precarious legal position.
It’s easy to wonder: What could these men have done differently? How might things have turned out if they had made different choices that night? For the victims, the impact is already devastating, but now the criminal justice system will have to make sense of the legal mess that’s been created.
If you’re interested in staying updated with more detailed crime and legal cases like this one, consider joining the discussion on platforms like WhatsApp. You’ll find insights on similar events and how they impact communities. It’s always good to stay informed.
What’s Next for the Investigation and Court Process?
So, what’s going to happen next? Right now, law enforcement is still piecing together the details of the case. The investigation is ongoing, and there are likely more developments to come. We’ll have to wait and see if any more suspects are involved, and what evidence will come to light in the coming weeks.
As for the trial, it’s still too early to predict when it will begin. The legal process can take time, especially in a case with so many moving parts. But one thing is for sure: the families of D.W. and Telega will be watching closely, hoping for justice.
If you’re following this case, keep an eye on updates, because the investigation is far from over. The legal outcomes will be important not just for those involved, but for the community as well. It’s a reminder that the justice system is the last line of defense against chaos, and it’s up to all of us to stay engaged and informed.
Learning from past incidents can guide us toward a safer future. If you’re interested in how communities have responded to violent crimes in the past, we recently covered a Miami apartment shooting that left one person dead.
Lessons from the Duluth Home Invasion and Homicide
When we look at the tragic events that unfolded in Duluth, it’s impossible not to feel a sense of loss and disbelief. But there are important lessons here that go beyond the details of this particular case. The first is the unpredictable nature of crime—it can escalate quickly, and violence can spiral out of control before we even realize it.
As a community, we need to understand that safety is not just about being aware of what’s happening around us, but also about looking out for each other. The second takeaway is the importance of vigilance.
In situations like this, where events can take such a drastic turn, every action taken can either prevent or escalate the situation. It’s a reminder to not only protect ourselves but to make sure that we are looking out for those around us, whether they’re neighbors or friends.
Finally, the case serves as a stark reminder of the impact our actions have on others. Whether you’re the one committing the crime or the one caught in its wake, everyone suffers in some way.
There’s a collective responsibility to work towards a safer, more supportive community. By reflecting on what happened, we can learn, grow, and hopefully prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on available news sources and public records. Details of the case may evolve as the investigation continues. The content is for informational purposes only and does not intend to provide legal advice.
