Crime
Victims killed in dispute over dice game at Pontiac apartment identified, suspect in custody
The suspect attempted to muffle the gunshots using a potato as a silencer before fleeing the scene.
Oakland County authorities have arrested a 32-year-old Detroit man in connection with a double homicide that occurred on Tuesday, October 8th.
The suspect, whose name has not been released, is accused of murdering two individuals in a dispute over a dice game.
The killings took place around 8:20 AM in an apartment located in the 100 block of North Sanford Street, near Fiddis Avenue.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect became enraged after losing $80 in the dice game and opened fire on 20-year-old Sidney Ward III of Highland Park and 24-year-old Tyrone Davis Glenn Jr. of Pontiac.
A 911 caller reported hearing gunshots, and deputies arrived at the scene to find both victims suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Ward was pronounced dead at the scene, while Glenn was transported to a hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators discovered evidence at the crime scene suggesting that the suspect had attempted to disguise the sound of the gunshots by using a potato as a makeshift silencer.
This effort proved ineffective.
Following the shooting, the suspect fled the scene and called for an Uber ride.
However, before the rideshare vehicle arrived, he abandoned the plan and fled on foot in the area of South Boulevard and Woodward Avenue.
After conducting surveillance at various locations, detectives spotted the suspect walking along 8 Mile Road, carrying grocery bags and a case of beer.
He was arrested at approximately 8:20 PM on Tuesday evening by members of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Team and the Gun Violence Task Force.
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard praised the efforts of his team and their partners in apprehending the suspect within 12 hours of the killings.
He expressed shock and disgust at the suspect’s actions and vowed to hold him accountable for his crimes.
During their investigation, detectives recovered two semi-automatic handguns from the suspect.
The suspect is currently being held at the Oakland County Jail and is expected to be arraigned on Wednesday or Thursday.
Crime
Agent Nic Graham Dies After Being Shot in Lakewood Police Shootout With Suspect Gabriel Garcia on RTD Bus
LAKEWOOD, Colorado โ A Lakewood police agent who was critically wounded during a shootout with a suspect aboard an RTD bus has died, authorities confirmed. The fallen officer was identified as Nic Graham, a member of the Lakewood Police Department since 2019.
Graham was among four police agents injured Thursday evening when an armed confrontation erupted near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. A civilian bystander was also struck by gunfire.
The shooting followed a police search for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash reported earlier in the day.
Police said the incident initially began shortly before 3:45 p.m. Thursday, following a hit-and-run collision near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue in Lakewood.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect ran away almost immediately after the crash. However, they provided officers with a description that helped police identify and search for the individual.
Lakewood Police Public Information Agent John Romero said witnesses were able to give officers a useful description of the person who fled the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Lakewood police agent recognized the individual boarding an RTD bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Officers approached the suspect at approximately 6:32 p.m. Police said the individual opened fire on officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Responding officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Gabriel Garcia.
Garcia was reportedly on parole when the shooting occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Lakewood police agents suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Their injuries ranged from serious to critical, and all four were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Graham later died from his injuries.
One civilian bystander was also hit by gunfire and hospitalized. The person’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday afternoon.
Hospital updates released Friday morning indicated that two agents treated at Denver Health Medical Center had been released. Another remained hospitalized, while officials had not provided a complete update on the remaining injured individuals.
Graham began serving with the Lakewood Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the police academy.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he contributed to criminal investigations and earned recognition for his work.
One of his notable achievements came in 2023, when he received the department’s Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to investigations targeting gang members.
Police Chief Philip Smith paid tribute to Graham, highlighting his dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others.
Chief Smith said Graham demonstrated those qualities throughout his career, from his early days on patrol to his investigative work.
His death has left the department and the wider Lakewood community grieving the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to public service.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The shooting resulted in the death of suspect Gabriel Garcia, the fatal injury of Agent Nic Graham, injuries to three additional police agents and a civilian bystander.
Officials have not released a final investigative account of the incident. Further updates are expected as investigators establish the complete sequence of events.