Detroit Man Charged With Murder After Shooting Spree Kills 3: Police

Detroit MI

31 August, 2022

1:53 PM

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DETROIT — A 19-year-old Detroit man was charged in connection to a shooting spree that left three dead and one wounded Sunday morning, the Wayne County Prosecutors Office said. Dontae Ramon Smith was charged with three counts of first-degree murder, one count of assault with intent to murder, one count of animal cruelty and five felony firearm violations. He was placed in the Wayne County Jail and expected to be arraigned Wednesday at the 36th District Court. "It is not an overstatement to say that on Sunday morning, Aug. 28, like a scene out of a movie this alleged defendant reigned real terror on the citizens northwest Detroit," Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement. "Normal, everyday life was brought to a standstill as he moved east to his next victim." Police said Smith had no criminal history and randomly shot four people Sunday morning along Seven Mile Road on Detroit's west side, killing three and wounding another and his dog. Officers peacefully arrested Smith in the area of Pembroke and Livernois streets after Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said "somebody close" to the shooter sent in a tip to Detroit Police. Officers said they also found a gun that ballistics testing showed it was used in all four shootings. Police have not revealed a motive for the shooting, but said he may have been suffering from mental illness. Police said Smith first shot 28-year-old Chayne Lewis Lee multiple times on the 19800 block of Wyoming Avenue early Sunday morning, killing him. Officers found his body shortly later. There was no 911 call. As officers were investigating the scene, a 911 call came in about shots fired a couple blocks over. A witness then led officers to the scene where they found a woman dead from multiple gunshot wounds, officials said. Smith then fatally shot 43-year-old Lari Briscol while she was waiting for a ride at a U-Haul rental location on Livernois Avenue. After firing multiple shots at Briscol, Smith then stepped away and fired additional shots into her, officials said. Smith then shot a 76-year-old John Palik in the leg on the 19200 block of Pennington St. near Seven Mile and West Outer Drive after he confronted the shooter when him saw him looking into car windows, officials said. Smith also shot the Palik's dog. Both were taken to a nearby hospital and were expected to be OK, officials said.