A Saginaw woman accused of unloading six shots into her longtime boyfriend, then mocking him on a 911 call, has been ruled competent to face a jury, a Saginaw County judge heard yesterday. Darnisha M. Sanders remains in the Saginaw County Jail on a $500,000 bond, with prosecutors still waiting to lock in a trial date.
Prosecutors allege the shooting went down in September 2025 inside an apartment in the 1200 block of Maple Street. After the gunfire, Sanders is accused of dialing 911 while her wounded boyfriend could be heard in the background. According to Law & Crime, the caller told dispatchers she had run out of bullets and said that if she had more, she would have gone after his toes and fingers.
What investigators say
Saginaw police testified that officers recovered a .22-caliber Kel‑Tec pistol along with six spent casings inside the apartment. Evidence at the scene suggested the victim was sitting on a couch when the shots were fired.
The man was hit in six different places: cheek, neck, shoulder, hand, knee and shin. He was sedated for two days after the attack, according to reporting by WCRZ.
Competency hearing in circuit court
A forensic report from the Center for Forensic Psychiatry, dated March 17, found that Sanders is competent to understand the proceedings and assist in her own defense. At yesterday's competency hearing, Saginaw County Circuit Court Judge Darnell Jackson accepted the evaluation and cleared the case to move forward toward trial, as detailed by MLive.
Charges and next steps
Sanders is charged with assault with intent to murder, discharging a firearm in or at a building causing injury, and two counts of felony firearm, according to Law & Crime. She continues to be held on a $500,000 bond, and prosecutors say a trial date is still pending.
Broader context
Domestic shootings remain a significant part of Michigan’s gun violence problem. The Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions reports that in 2022, at least 59 homicides in the state were linked to domestic violence, with roughly 58% involving a firearm. In response, Michigan leaders have tightened several firearm laws and launched a Gun Violence Prevention Task Force that issued recommendations aimed at bolstering victim services and limiting firearm access for people considered high‑risk, according to the state task force’s report.
Court records show Sanders remains in the Saginaw County Jail as the case heads back to court for pretrial scheduling. The Saginaw County Circuit Court posts public information about Judge Jackson’s docket and other filings on its website.
