Brother of suspected shooter also charged in Ypsilanti Township homicide; third person in custody
The 16-year-old brother of a man charged in a fatal shooting Sunday outside Kmart in Ypsilanti Township is now facing criminal charges in the case, authorities said today.
A third person also is in custody as Washtenaw County sheriff's detectives continue to investigate the homicide.
Charles Pippens, 16, was arrested Tuesday and charged Wednesday with open murder and armed robbery in the death of 20-year-old Chris King of Ypsilanti Township, Det. Sgt. Patrick Bell said.
Pippens, who is being prosecuted as an adult, is the brother of suspected shooter Michael Dshawn Crockett, Bell said.
Crockett, 20, is being held without bond at the Washtenaw County Jail on charges of open murder, assault with intent to rob while armed, carrying a concealed weapon and possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. The brothers are from Ypsilanti Township.
Detectives continue to investigate whether a township resident helped at least one of brothers after the shooting, Bell said. That resident was arrested Tuesday, Bell said, but has not been charged. No other arrests are anticipated, Bell said.
King was shot at about 4 p.m. Sunday after a fight in a parking lot outside the Kmart near the intersection of Washtenaw Avenue and Golfside Road, deputies said. He collapsed roughly 200 yards from the shooting and was taken to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
King died of a single gunshot wound, authorities said.
One or two shots were fired, and at least two guns were involved, Bell said. A handgun was recovered at the scene, Bell said, but police don't know who was carrying that gun.
Bell would not say whether a second gun has been recovered. The guns are believed to have been stolen, he said.
While investigators say there was a fight, no additional injuries were found on King's body, and no other injuries were reported, Bell said.
It's unclear when Pippens will be arraigned at the Washtenaw County Jail.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and e-mail at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
Kevin
Mon, Aug 9, 2010 : 8:05 a.m.
WOW, the whole family in jail..ypsi best put away,,my qustion is how long were there rap sheet and are fair justice system lets them walk amongst us,,,thank you justice system you are truly blind
ronn oneal
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 7:17 p.m.
@Dawhood I feel your pain but nobody wins and we all lose in this tragic event. Our youth can't handle a simple fist fight that 20-30 years from now those two would have the chance to laugh about growing up over a cup of coffee. Now day's kid's want to shoot and kill not playing the'what happen's next'. In prison with men that have been there for 30-40 years waitng on a 17,18,19 year old to come in playin tuff only to be a wife because no boys to help or guns to steal and shoot cause you lost the fight. Now you gettin sexed and washin underclothes.
Rasputin
Fri, Jul 30, 2010 : 4:21 p.m.
still believe in nature versus nurture?
shumom23
Fri, Jul 30, 2010 : 7:43 a.m.
How sad and tragic this is! A mother and father lost their son! Some people lost a friend, a student,a family member, a future role model. God Bless the peole left behind to miss him!
whereisthelove
Fri, Jul 30, 2010 : 6:54 a.m.
Chris King a great young man, very loving young man. This is such a tragedy. I agree with you phdeez no coverage about his memorials or candle lights, Saline High School had a candle light for him on Tuesday night, it was a beautiful thing to be a part of. Chris was very well loved by all that he encountered except for as far as I can tell his accused muderer and his family. No one is perfect, we all fall short of the glory and yes it's going to get a lot worse. R.I.Paradise Little cousin!!!
dawhood
Thu, Jul 29, 2010 : 8:56 p.m.
After reading some of the comments about this article, i feel angry at the way some people are responding.. Yea "But for the Grace of God Go I". Just hold on your day "is" coming no one on this earth is "Exempt from trouble" that is "Promised".. Those that set the "Pits and the Snare's" are going to fall in the too.. Hold on the "High and Mighty" you are the real problem..Judah is going to rise from all this mess you put him in.. (Gen chpt 49 vs 8 ~ 10 kjv..)
Kent2525
Thu, Jul 29, 2010 : 6:04 p.m.
Here we go, the entire family is in the Washtenaw county jail now.... MOM SON #1 SON #2 all in jail.
phdeez
Thu, Jul 29, 2010 : 4:56 p.m.
This is an awful story, through and through. But with so much coverage about the accused killers, why have we not seen any stories or memorials about the victim? From what I have heard from people who knew Chris King, he was a great young man. I also heard that there was a memorial service for him on Tuesday. I did not see any news coverage of it. Why not?
Ricebrnr
Thu, Jul 29, 2010 : 4:49 p.m.
Well some of you wanted a mentoring program...looks like there already was one
Wolverine3660
Thu, Jul 29, 2010 : 4:23 p.m.
KeepingitReal- I understand what you are saying, and I think a lot of possible solutions to this "thug life' mentality that is decimating the African American community. In trying to "keep it real", young men and women are destroying their lives.
KeepingItReal
Thu, Jul 29, 2010 : 2:13 p.m.
As I said before, one dead, with no chance of ever reaching his potential, two young men are criminally charged, and if the fourth person is guilty of any aspect of this crime, they will be removed from the community for a very long time. Young men, in the prime of their lives will be unable to contribute to the future growth of their community while we African Americans sit idly by and watch the depletion of our community. Please, can someone help me understand what is going on!
mrshicks1223
Thu, Jul 29, 2010 : 1:03 p.m.
How sad...this tragic event has now taken away three sons. And for what?