Two 18-year-olds are now facing serious felony charges after a December shooting at a Waterford Township apartment complex left a 23-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the chest. The victim was found on the exterior steps of his unit at River’s Edge Apartments following a 911 call around 5 p.m. on Dec. 26, 2025, and was taken to McLaren-Oakland Hospital for treatment. Investigators say the pair forced their way into the victim’s bedroom before shots were fired, and the arrests and formal charges are the latest turn in a months-long case.
Carmelo Buckles and Ricardo Johnson, both 18, were charged on April 7 with one count each of assault with intent to murder and a felony-firearm charge, according to ClickOnDetroit. Police say Buckles was arrested on June 4 with help from Detroit police, and Johnson was taken into custody on July 8 with assistance from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Team. Both were arraigned in the 51st District Court, where each was given a $5 million cash or surety bond. A probable-cause conference is scheduled for July 21, according to court filings.
What Police Say
Waterford investigators say the two suspects acted together and forced entry into the victim’s unit before the shooting. According to police, the resident fired back, hitting Buckles in the hand and leaving DNA evidence at the scene. Detectives say both teens fled before officers arrived and were initially detained the night of the incident, then released while forensic testing continued. That lab work, along with follow-up interviews, ultimately led to the charges filed this spring, as detailed by ClickOnDetroit.
Court Timeline and Next Steps
Buckles and Johnson were arraigned in the 51st District Court in Waterford, the court that handles arraignments, probable-cause conferences and other early felony proceedings for the area. Local court guides explain that if the judge finds sufficient probable cause at the July 21 conference, the case can be sent to Oakland County Circuit Court for further action. Prosecutors and defense attorneys are now preparing for that possibility and the more formal stages that follow.
Legal Implications
Assault with intent to commit murder is a felony under Michigan law that can carry a maximum sentence of up to life in prison. A felony-firearm conviction typically brings mandatory consecutive prison time under the state’s firearms statutes. Those penalties are outlined in the Michigan Penal Code and related Michigan laws.
Why the Case Moved Now
The case highlights how major investigations do not always move quickly. Officers say the suspects were initially located on the night of the shooting but released while DNA and other forensic evidence was processed. Once that work was completed, arrests and formal charges followed. Waterford Township Police continue to ask anyone with information about the Dec. 26 incident to contact investigators.
For more on the initial reporting and the charges, see ClickOnDetroit. For local police notices, visit the Waterford Township Police press page. For background on the court’s early-stage procedures, see local 51st District Court guides.
