A 32-year-old Warren man is charged with murder and his 30-year-old sister is accused of deleting relevant text messages on her phone in the shooting death of the ex-boyfriend of a third sibling.
Deandre Bernard Jones was arraigned Tuesday in 37th District Court in Warren on charges of second-degree murder, felony firearm possession and solicitation of tampering with evidence in the fatal shooting early Friday morning of Stanley Smith Jr. in Warren.
Keshawna Smith, also a Warren resident, was formally charged in the same court with tampering with evidence for allegedly deleted messages and call logs between herself and her brother related to the shooting, according to Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido.
Jones allegedly drove to a residence in the 11000 of Paige Avenue at about 2 a.m. Friday and encountered Stanley Smith, Keshawna Smith and a third unnamed sister outside. Jones shot Stanley Smith, Warren police said.
Officers arrived and found Smith dead from multiple gunshot wounds in the backyard of the residence.
Information gathered at the scene led police to a residence six blocks away in the 11000 block of Jewett Avenue, where it was believed persons of interest and/or suspects were located, authorities said.
Officers arrived and found several people inside the home. Two sisters were questioned at the police station. It is believed the shooting may be connected to an earlier domestic violence incident involving the victim, his ex-girlfriend and family members of the ex-girlfriend.
Investigators further discovered Jones was likely involved in the shooting and likely could be found at a residence in the 27000 block of Thomas Drive near Interstate 696 and Ryan Road, according to police. The Special Response Team and officers traveled to that location where the suspect was arrested.Judge Suzanne Faunce denied bond for Jones and set a $50,000 cash bond for Keshawna Smith. If Smith posts bond, she is prohibited from contacting any witnesses or her co-defendant, prosecutors said. The pair is scheduled a probable-cause hearing on Nov. 26 followed by a Dec. 3 preliminary examination in front of Judge Michael Chupa.