Brother of suspected shooter also charged in Ypsilanti Township homicide; third person in custody

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.