The teenager accused in a random and deadly weekend shooting spree in Detroit has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder.
Dontae Ramon Smith, 19, was also charged Wednesday with assault with intent to murder and animal cruelty, Wayne County prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement.
He is accused of opening fire in four locations early Sunday.
Smith is accused of shooting Chayne Lewis Lee, 28, multiple times at 4:45 a.m. in the 19880 block of Wyoming Avenue. When Lee fell to the ground, Smith kept shooting him, according to the prosecutor. Lee was found dead in the doorway of a church.
Smith is accused of fatally shooting a woman less than an hour later at Wyoming and Margareta avenues. The woman, who has not been identified, had multiple gunshot wounds.
Police released a sketch of the unidentified victim Wednesday afternoon to learn her identity.
Smith shot Lari Brisco, 43, multiple times just before 7 a.m. and fled, according to the prosecutor. Brisco, a single mother of five, was waiting for a ride when she was killed, her boss said.
Fifteen minutes later, Smith shot John Palik, 76, in the leg and Palik's dog in the foot at home on Pennington Drive, Worthy said. Both survived.
“It is not an overstatement to say that on Sunday morning, August 28, like a scene out of a movie this alleged defendant reigned real terror on the citizens of northwest Detroit," the prosecutor said. "Normal, everyday life was brought to a standstill as he moved east to his next victim."
Police had released a security video image of a young adult in black clothing, including a hoodie, to get tips from the public.
Worthy's statement said that police got a tip from a relative of Smith’s and that when police searched his home, they found a gun.
Smith was arraigned Wednesday.
Magistrate Jeffrey Kleparek said that Smith was a “danger to the community” and that he had concerns about Smith's mental health. Kleparek ordered Smith held without bond.
A probable cause hearing is scheduled for Sept. 14, Kleparek said.
