Wife arrested in fatal shooting of man at Ypsilanti Township apartment complex
A woman who investigators say fatally shot her husband this morning after an argument at an Ypsilanti Township apartment initially called 911 and told dispatchers she shot an intruder, Washtenaw County sheriff's deputies said this afternoon.
However, deputies said the 23-year-old woman was later jailed after she admitted to detectives at the sheriff's department that there was no intruder and she knew that it was her 20-year-old husband she shot.
The doorway of the apartment where a man was fatally shot at the Tuscan Creek apartment complex in Ypsilanti Township
Angela Cesere | AnnArbor.com
The victim's name has not been released, pending notification of family members, sheriff's department spokesman Derrick Jackson said.
When deputies went to one of the complex's buildings in response to the 911 call and entered a second-floor apartment, they found the woman on the phone with dispatchers, Jackson said. Her husband was on the floor suffering from a gunshot wound and had a faint pulse, he said. A .38-caliber handgun also was on the floor, deputies said.
The victim was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and pronounced dead, Jackson said.
Jackson said he did not know how many shots were fired or where the man was hit. He also said he didn't know what the argument was about.
Washtenaw County Medical Examiner Bader Cassin, who conducted the autopsy, could not be reached for comment this afternoon.
It's the third homicide in the township this year.
India Johnson, 23, a neighbor, had to duck under police tape to get into her apartment this morning. Johnson said the young couple had lived in the building for several months and could often be seen walking their small dog.
"I never heard them fighting or arguing," she said. "It's crazy."
She said an incident like this could happen anywhere.
"You don't have no control over that. It's a domestic situation."
Tia McPike-McDyess, 35, who also lives in the complex formerly known as Cobble Creek, said she just met the victim at 8 p.m. Tuesday as she was taking out her trash. He held the door open for her, she said. She's lived in the complex since August and said she's somewhat concerned about the safety of children there.
"We have kids that play in the hallway," she said. "A bullet could have flown anywhere."
Detectives are still seeking information about two homicides from earlier this year. Darnell Javon Brown, 31, of Ypsilanti, was arraigned last week on charges including murder in the shooting death of 33-year-old Marcus Tramale Jones on Feb. 26 in the 1300 block of Nash Avenue. Deputies are working to identify who shot Brown during that incident.
Deputies also continue to investigate the fatal shooting of 27-year-old William Lewis-Armstead on Feb. 3 in Ypsilanti Township. His body was found in an industrial area in the eastern portion of the township. A man being sought for questioning in that case committed suicide days later at a Romulus hotel when police announced they were outside his room.
Anyone with information in the cases can call the sheriff's department's tip line, 734-973-7711.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
Barb's Mom
Thu, Mar 24, 2011 : 1:12 p.m.
My condolences to the young man's family. We know exactly what you are going through as our 29 year old daughter was murdered in November in a Domestic Violence incident.
stevek
Thu, Mar 24, 2011 : 12:50 p.m.
@forever27---If it is normal wear and tear, yes Mckinley should fix the problems. Too many times though, renters feel that they can trash or not keep the property safe and clean. It doesn't take money to keep your "home" clean, and not destroy the property that you rent. You can also teach your kids to do the same.
clmish
Thu, Mar 24, 2011 : 2:23 a.m.
With all due respect, consider that two families have lost a lot in this tragic situation, not to mention friends of the young man. I'm all for sleep, but think about his mother and father who will be losing a lot of it tonight and in the years to come. The issue of noisy children seems to pale in comparison to the quiet following the silencing of one who was a child not so long ago and whose life was precious, but will make no more noise himself. If you think of it, say a prayer instead.
Gaila
Thu, Mar 24, 2011 : 1:28 a.m.
Chris 8 I feel the same way I also live in a appartment where my bedroom wall is also attached to the stairway and I hate it when my neighbors run up and down it all day and night playing around. I complained to the apartment manager and she spoke with the people that live up stairs and now they are being more disrespectful by stomping up and down the steps when they leave and come in even in the late late hours of night. The complex I live in just last week had a case of stanger danger, some little girl was almost snached up by some dude in Aspen Chase.
Chris 8 - YPSI PRIDE
Wed, Mar 23, 2011 : 10:44 p.m.
KYRIE ! I couldn't have said it better myself. This is an ongoing problem in the warmer months in my complex. It's not at all acceptable by people who work at night and sleep during children's play hours. I have nothing against children but I do have problems with parents that would allow this. Keep your children inside or outside in the playground (supervised of course) and not in front of my door or running up and down stairs all day. I sleep right behind the wall of the stairway. When you keep them inside keeep the noise down to an acceptable level. You are not in a house. Other people live here too. Thank you.
Kyrie
Wed, Mar 23, 2011 : 10:17 p.m.
"We have kids that play in the hallway," she said. "A bullet could have flown anywhere." What are kids doing playing in the hallway of apartments????? That's so disrespectful to neighbors.
Mr. Ed
Wed, Mar 23, 2011 : 10:03 p.m.
I just hope the grass was cut int he Fall to the required height. Thats whats really important in the township right. Three murders thus far and it's only March.
pseudo
Wed, Mar 23, 2011 : 8:46 p.m.
Isn't this the place that McKinley was supposed to be cleaning up?
Forever27
Wed, Mar 23, 2011 : 10:51 p.m.
@stevek, if McKinley owns the property, it's their responsibility to maintain it. As far as this story being an example of the property needing to be "cleaned up" as you say lorie; this was domestic violence. It doesn't have anything to do with the neighborhood.
stevek
Wed, Mar 23, 2011 : 10:38 p.m.
Why is it McKinley's job to clean up a place that the residents trash? It wouldn't be in poor condition if people didn't live like animals
RJA
Wed, Mar 23, 2011 : 6:54 p.m.
Anticipating no further arrests, tells us something. Good job Washtenaw County, (arresting the wife). Even though investigators will release more information later this afternoon, who are we, the citizens to judge? Sad situation, and most sad for family and friends.
leezee
Wed, Mar 23, 2011 : 6:49 p.m.
Why does this always happen? More information available outside the immediate area. <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20110323/NEWS05/110323022/1001/NEWS/Ypsilanti-Township-woman-held-husband-s-death" rel='nofollow'>http://www.freep.com/article/20110323/NEWS05/110323022/1001/NEWS/Ypsilanti-Township-woman-held-husband-s-death</a>
DBlaine
Wed, Mar 23, 2011 : 8:19 p.m.
annarbor.com puts its resources into comment moderation, not reporting...
dirty irish
Wed, Mar 23, 2011 : 7:26 p.m.
because the "freep" has actual news reporters, while A2.com is nothing more than a blog-site.