DETROIT _ A 20-year-old Detroit man is being charged with murder and armed robbery after the two separate meetings he arranged to purchase Air Jordans on Tuesday turned violent. The incidents, the second of which ended in a fatality, occurred just hours and blocks apart in Detroit's west side.
The victim, Corey Harris-Thomas, 17, of Grosse Pointe Woods, had arranged to sell Dante Tyrell Ford a pair of the Nike brand sneakers, and on June 6 at about 1:30 p.m., Harris-Thomas and his 24-year-old friend drove to the area of Birwood and Fenkell on Detroit's west side to meet Ford, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement.
Ford allegedly entered the rear passenger seat of the SUV and pulled out a handgun after the three men drove around for two blocks at Fenkell and Pinehurst streets, according to the release.
The 24-year-old also pulled out a gun and they wrestled, the release said, and Ford fired a shot that injured the 24-year-old's arm.
The 24-year-old fired his weapon, and then Ford fired again, fatally wounding Harris-Thomas, according to the prosecutor's statement. Harris-Thomas fell out the vehicle, which hit a fence near Fenkell and Pinehurst. Detroit police spokesman Sgt. Adam Madera said Harris-Thomas was driving the vehicle.
Ford, who also sustained a gunshot wound, fled the scene on foot, according to the report. Madera said police do not know if the suspect fled the scene with the shoes.
The 24-year-old man called the police and remained on Pinehurst, and when the police arrived at about 1:43 p.m., they found Harris-Thomas' body in the street and medics pronounced him dead at the scene.
The 24-year-old was transported to a hospital for treatment.
The Detroit Police Department arrested Ford on June 7 at about 12:30 a.m., according to the prosecutor's office. Madera said that authorities learned about the suspect after he had arrived at a hospital with graze wounds to his stomach just hours after the incident.
Ford has been charged with felony murder, armed robbery, assault with intent to murder, felon in possession of a firearm, and felony firearm.
Ford also is facing charges for an armed robbery earlier that day.
According to prosecutors, Ford robbed a 16-year-old at gunpoint after he had arranged to meet the teen to buy the shoes from him.
In that incident, Ford is being charged with armed robbery, felon in possession of a firearm, and felony firearm.
Ford was arraigned on all charges Friday. His probable cause conference is scheduled for June 16, and his preliminary examination is set for June 23. Judge Deborah Lewis Langston of the 36th District Court will preside over both hearings.
