After a two-week manhunt following a shooting incident at Detroit's Ford Fireworks show, authorities have apprehended a 19-year-old suspect from Romulus, according to reports from multiple local news outlets. The suspect, identified as Alphonso Cooper Jr., was arrested on Monday in Washtenaw County. The June 23 incident resulted in two individuals being injured: a 17-year-old boy involved in an altercation with Cooper and a 22-year-old woman caught in the fray, as per the Detroit Free Press.
Authorities believe the shooting stemmed from a dispute over an approximately $200 debt. The Detroit News highlighted that the suspect and the 17-year-old victim, also from Romulus, had a brief fight before Cooper allegedly discharged his weapon. Witnesses said that crowds ran for cover following the shots near Hart Plaza. In the aftermath, another 18-year-old, Markalowe Keith Steen Jr. of Brownstown Township, was also taken into custody for aiding Cooper's getaway, as noted in The Detroit News. However, unlike Cooper, Steen has since been released with no current information on his involvement or whereabouts at the time of arrest.
The Detroit Police Department credited the Fugitive Apprehension Services Team (FAST) and the Violent Crime Reduction Initiative for their roles in the arrest, which was also confirmed by WXYZ in their coverage. The apprehension of Cooper Jr. aligns with a recent announcement by Police Chief Bettison and Mayor Mike Duggan of a Five-Step Plan aimed at mitigating violence, particularly among young people in Detroit. This initiative was reported shortly after multiple other violent incidents in the city, including the injury of a 2-year-old boy during a separate fireworks display, as per the article from The Detroit News.
During their investigation, Detroit police executed several search warrants and collected video evidence that helped to quickly disseminate photos of Cooper and Steen to the community, thereby facilitating the capture of suspects. According to the report by WXYZ, Bettison previously emphasized that video footage captured the actual moment when the gun was fired. The police are urging anyone with further information about the shooting to contact the 3rd Precinct detective unit or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers.
A warrant request has already been submitted to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office for criminal charges against Cooper, according to Detroit police. At present, details regarding the charges and upcoming proceedings are awaited, with a spokesperson for County Prosecutor Kym Worthy yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter.
