DETROIT (WXYZ) - Police say it was a bizarre and reckless shooting on Detroit’s west side and you’re not going to believe what the dispute was over.
Trash cans, that’s what police say sparked a dispute and left a neighbor trying to kill a man he’s known for years.
Armed and charged with attempted murder the U.S. Marshals are asking for your help to track Cleveland Cunningham down.
“The victim allows the suspects mother to use his trash cans and when he went to take them back because they’re his it caused a really big fight with the mother and she threatens to involve her son,” Deputy U.S. Marshal Rob Watson said.
Attempted murder, over borrowed trash cans. It’s what the U.S. Marshals say sent shots flying down the streets of a west side neighborhood.
“The man owns some rental property so he’s watched this kid grow up, he’s known the mother for years and to treat your neighbor in this way, I mean it’s over a trash can,” Watson said.
That now-grown kid? Police say he’s Cleveland Cunningham and he was out to kill the man who owns the house across the street who also happens to be a retired Detroit Police Officer.
“The suspect confronts him, points a handgun at him and tells him he’s going to shoot him,” Watson said.
Police say the retired officer ran into his car to get away.
“As he’s driving away the suspect fires multiple rounds from a handgun trying to kill this guy and it was all over a trash can,” Watson said.
Police say several bullets from a 45 caliber handgun were recovered from the car but Cunningham and his gun remain at large.
“The fact that he’s willing to murder somebody over a trash can just kind of tells you how unstable of a person this person is,” Watson said. “He’s not using common sense, he’s not using really any thought process behind what he’s doing he’s willing to go to prison for the rest of his life and take someone else’s life over a trash can.”
Cleveland Cunningham is 29-years-old, he’s 6’2” tall, 210 pounds.
“We have not been able to find any legitimate way he’s making a living so he probably still is on the west side, he was living at his mother’s house but we haven’t seen him there in a little while so we’re looking for the public’s help,” Watson said.
As always there’s a cash reward for any information leading to the arrest of Cleveland Cunningham. You can call the U.S. Marshals anytime at (313) 234 5656.
