Editor's note: Police have amended their earlier report stating that the second victim had died. The second victim is currently in the hospital.
One person was killed and another severely injured after a robbery and carjacking that took place in the middle of the afternoon on Saturday in Monroe.
The Monroe Police Department said two suspects robbed Highlander Market Saturday afternoon before targeting the victims who were parked outside of the business. Police say the suspects fired a shot at a witness standing nearby and when both occupants of a blue Ford F-150 got out of the vehicle, both were shot.
"It appears this time they were shot for absolutely no reason whatsoever," said Chief Chad Tolstedt.
The suspects then left the scene in that Ford F-150.
One of the victims, identified as 31-year-old Michael Ronald Beck Jr., died on the scene. His friend, a 34-year-old man, was transported to the local hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The victims' childhood friend Antoinette Dailey said she saw the two suspects who killed them at the local splash pad just an hour earlier when one of them tried to talk to her friend.
"I got a bad vibe from him, because he just looked like he had the wrong intention to talk to somebody," said Dailey.
Michael’s mom and sister said they heard about the tragedy from police.
"It’s every mom’s worst nightmare," said Shannon Russeau, Michael's mother.
Michael was engaged to be married. He leaves behind his large family, including a 7-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son.
"His babies will never be able to see him again," said Russeau.
Around 7:40 p.m. on Saturday, officials located the stolen vehicle in Ohio. According to officials, when troopers tried to initiate a traffic stop, a chase began. Police say the suspects shot at pursuing officers multiple times before crashing. Both suspects, a 29-year-old man from Monroe and a 44-year-old man from Ann Arbor, were taken to the hospital. The 44-year-old is now being held at the Hancock County Jail.
Police say no officers were injured.
"The Monroe Police Department would like to remind the public that this was a complete random, senseless act of violence. The victims in this case were not affiliated with the offenders in any way. Situations like this shake our community to the core and these acts of violence will, in no way be tolerated," the department said in a statement.
The Beck family has created a GoFundMe. They say proceeds will go to his children. If you'd like to donate, click here.
Anyone with information is asked to call Monroe police at 734.243.7070 or 734.243.7518, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
