Davonte Demetri Franklin, a 32-year-old Detroit man, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder after a dice game turned deadly over an $80 loss in Pontiac. In addition to the murder charges, Franklin is also facing charges of felon in possession of a firearm and three counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony, according to a Detroit News report.
The incident occurred last Tuesday and resulted in the tragic deaths of Sydney Ward III, 20, and Tyrone Davis Glenn Jr., 24. In light of the fatalities, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard expressed his astonishment at the disregard for human life, stating, "I have been in this a long time, but it is still shocking to see the lack of value some people place on a human life." Franklin was arraigned on the charges and is being held without bond, as confirmed by the Mid Michigan Now coverage of the arraignment.
In additional details provided by FOX 2 Detroit, Sheriff Bouchard shared that during the investigation, it was discovered that the suspect attempted to use a potato as a silencer, an effort that proved ineffective. The arrest occurred when Franklin was spotted on Eight Mile Road, carrying groceries and beer, by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Team, with the support of Detroit and Southfield police and special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The shootings took place within an apartment near the 100 block of North Sanford Street. Responding officers found the victims with multiple gunshot wounds after receiving calls from residents about gunshots heard in the area. One victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other died shortly after being transported to the hospital. Franklin had fled the scene in an Uber and managed to briefly elude authorities. Bouchard lamented the senseless nature of the violence, advising, "Extreme violence over nothing; the lack of walking away from a situation you intentionally put yourself in." Adding further to the narrative of the event, the Sheriff looked forward to the judicial system holding the accused accountable for the crimes, as per FOX 2 Detroit report.
Franklin’s court appearance for the charges is scheduled for October 22 at the 50th District Court in Pontiac. The homicides are among the latest that contribute to Michigan's grim statistics, as the Oakland County Sheriff's Office reported 21 homicide arrests in Pontiac for the previous year alone.
