Murder charge filed after fatal shooting at Spirit Halloween store in Madison Heights
John Lashawn Benson, 21, faces first-degree murder charges after fatally shooting Anthony Thompson at a Spirit Halloween in Madison Heights. Benson's wife claims he acted in self-defence.
Oak Park man charged with murder after Spirit Halloween shooting in Michigan
A 21-year-old Oak Park man has been charged with first-degree murder following a fatal shooting at a Spirit Halloween store in Madison Heights, clickondetroit.com reports.
John Lashawn Benson was arraigned on 2 November and denied bond. He is due back in court on 18 November.
The shooting took place at approximately 2 p.m. on 30 October at the Spirit Halloween on John R. Road, between 13 and 14 Mile Roads. According to police, Benson and Anthony Thompson, 21, of Detroit, were arguing near the main entrance of the store when Benson allegedly drew a firearm and shot Thompson multiple times. Several bystanders were present at the time, though none were injured.
Officers arriving at the scene found Thompson with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later died. A 9mm handgun was recovered at the scene.
Benson was also hospitalised after being assaulted by members of Thompson's family during his arrest. Following a review by the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office, he was charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of felony firearm.
Benson's wife, Alanna, told Local 4 that her husband — whom she described as a concealed pistol licence holder — fired in self-defence. She said the couple were leaving the store with their three children when a man her husband had a prior history with confronted them.
"He sees us and recognises us and tells my husband, 'What's up?'" Alanna said. "And my husband's like, 'No, not right here,' as he's still walking out. He's like, 'No, *****, what's up?' And went in his pocket, and my husband drew his gun and was shaking while he was trying his gun, and he shot."
Alanna added that she believed her husband had protected his family. "If he didn't have that gun, and we walked out here and all those people would've jumped on him, would I be at the hospital right now praying over my husband? He defended me, himself, and his kids," she said.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)