CANTON, Mich. (WXYZ — Canton police are investigating after a 35-year-old man was shot and killed over the weekend.
Police say the shooting happened around 11:48 a.m. on Saturday after the suspect confronted his neighbor who was on a walk. Officials tell 7 News Detroit that the argument is believed to have started over wood chips, but they are still working out the details.
The shooting happened on Cornell Street just off of Sheldon Road and Cherry Hill Road.
The victim, identified as Nathan Morris, was transported to a local hospital where he later passed away from his injuries.
Police say the suspect barricaded himself inside his home after the shooting before eventually surrendering to authorities.
“This was a senseless act of violence toward the victim,” said Canton Police Chief Chad Baugh in a statement. “The Canton Police Department sends our deepest condolences to the victim’s family, and to the neighbors who may have witnessed this tragic event.”
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Devereaux Christopher Johnson, 47, in connection with the fatal shooting. He has been charged with First Degree Murder, Firearms Possession, and two counts of Felony Firearm.
Johnson was ordered held without bond at the Wayne County Jail at his arraignment in 35th District Court. He is due back in court on August 23. However, that court date may be rescheduled as Johnson' attorney has requested an evaluation to determine criminal liability and ability to stand trial.
"It was crazy. It happened so quickly all I remember is when I heard the loud shots I didn’t know what it was. I realized it was not Diwali or July 4th so I couldn’t correlate to what it was but I knew it was something scary because it was very, very loud," said neighbor Vish Vadari.
Vadari says his wife witnessed the shooting while outside gardening Saturday and the scene has left her traumatized.
" We came down and saw this gentleman right in front of my house going inside the garage and closing the garage right away and then I see this guy on the street," said Vadari. " I didn’t realize the scariness until two neighbors to my right, they have three kids, and they found a bullet hole in their kitchen."
Neighbors say Johnson had a history of being combative with neighbors, hailing threats some and even getting violent with neighbors in the past. Vadari says in recent weeks, Johnson had seemingly gotten more erratic with neighbors.
"Everybody has been telling their wives and kids be careful, don’t (make) eye to eye contact. Don’t walk across alone," said Vadari.
Full arraignment: Devereaux Christopher Johnson arraigned on charges in Canton murder
A family friend of Nathan Morris, the victim of the shooting, has created a fundraising page to help the family. You can donate by clicking here.
"It was pretty surreal for all of us, kind of numb and shocked and emotional at different times. He was a great man, a real gentlemen, a real father figure and I'm just kind of sorting through the kind of loss this represents for his family," said Edward McCall who was a friend of Morris'. "For me, I lost a friend but there’s other people who lost a lot more than I did. I'm waking up every morning just even more thankful than I’ve ever been."
McCall says he met Morris a few years ago as the two share interests in local politics. He says it was obvious that Morris, who once ran for school board, really cared about his community.
McCall says Morris was even more dedicated to his wife and two young children.
"He worked as an engineer in laser technology but he was a human and a friend and a father. He spent lot of time on his family but when he would do things with us in the political realm he would have to sacrifice a lot of time because he really loved his family," said McCall. "He really loved to read to his kids at night. He made it a point to read to his children at night."
The GiveSendGo fundraiser, which McCall helped to start for Morris' family, had already reached over $20,000 by Monday morning.
Morris' church has also created a page for the family with ways to help. Click here to read more.
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