Lincoln resident arrested for murder released to the public

Lincoln resident Emmanuel Mbaya Lasu, who was arrested last week in connection to a death in the Lincoln Crossing area, was being released pending further investigation, according to a press release from the city of Lincoln. Lasu was arrested following an altercation with his neighbor, Jonathan Michael Williams. According to a message that was delivered to Lincoln Crossing residents on Dec. 13, Williams was discovered dead in Lasu's home after officers were dispatched to the location shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10. The press release said the Lincoln Police Department is working with the Placer County District Attorney's Office to review evidence and circumstances surrounding the case. "The law presumes that a homeowner who uses deadly force inside their own residence acted in reasonable fear of death or great bodily injury to himself when the force was used against an unlawful intruder. The law also requires that when an arrest is made, charges must be filed within 48 hours or the arrestee must be released. In this unique case, further investigation is necessary to make the charging decision," wrote the city of Lincoln. According to the current public information for the investigation, the shooting occurred in the suspect's home but needs further investigation to establish the details and circumstances of the decedent's presence inside the home, why the shooting occurred and whether the decedent was lawfully inside the home when it happened. "It has been ongoing since that time and will continue until all the evidence is gathered to enable a full and fair evaluation and charging decision. Initial arrests are made based upon a probable cause standard, which was met in this case," said the city of Lincoln.