Two Detroit men charged after gunfire into Southfield home killed family dog
Police say the shooter fired nine rounds through a Sharon Lane front door because he wrongly believed the homeowner's son had stolen his car. The family's dog died; no people were hurt.
By OCJ Staff
Two Detroit men are charged with assault with intent to murder after police say one of them fired nine rounds through the front door of a Southfield home last month, killing the family's dog.
No people were hurt in the Sept. 28 shooting on Sharon Lane, according to CBS Detroit and WDIV.
What police allege
The shooting happened around 5:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28. Police say the shooter knocked on the door, got no answer, knocked a second time, backed away and fired through the door with what CBS Detroit described as an AK-style rifle.
The 64-year-old homeowner and his cousin were inside. Police say the homeowner was heading downstairs to answer the door when the shots came through and dropped to the floor; a bullet passed through his pajama pants. The family's dog was hit and later died.
Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren said the alleged shooter, DeMarco Lewis, believed the homeowner's son had stolen his car. Police say there is no evidence that happened. Barren said Lewis confessed.
"The right way to go about that is making a report," Barren said, according to WDIV.
Investigators used cameras and license plate readers to trace a black Cadillac Escalade with a vanity plate to the family of the second man, Larry Nelson Jr., who police say drove the getaway vehicle. Both men were arrested Wednesday, Oct. 7, in Detroit.
Charges and bond
- DeMarco Lewis, 29, of Detroit: assault with intent to murder, discharging a firearm at an occupied dwelling, possession of a weapon by a prohibited person and two counts of felony firearm. Bond: $100,000. CBS Detroit reported he has a history of failing to appear in court.
- Larry Nelson Jr., 25, of Detroit: assault with intent to murder, discharging a firearm at an occupied dwelling and two counts of felony firearm. Bond: $50,000.
Both were being held in the Oakland County Jail. WDIV reported a preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 22 in 46th District Court.
Charges are accusations. Both men are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
News outlets have spelled Lewis' first name both "DeMarco" and "Demarco." This story uses reporting from CBS Detroit and WDIV/ClickOnDetroit.