A Southfield man accused of gunning down his older brother inside their shared home will face a preliminary examination on Jan. 8, 2027, as the case moves through Oakland County's court system. Breylon Roberts, 21, is charged with first-degree murder and felony firearm in the Oct. 19 death of 23-year-old Trey Roberts, who police say was shot multiple times and found facedown in the kitchen of the home in the 17000 block of Dorset Avenue.
According to The Oakland Press, Judge Cynthia Arvant of 46th District Court will be presented with evidence at the upcoming hearing and will determine whether probable cause exists to send the case to Oakland County Circuit Court for possible trial. Police said Trey Roberts was pronounced dead at the scene after officers responded to a 911 call placed by the brothers' 17-year-old sister, per the Southfield Police Department.
Surveillance Footage Captured 17 Gunshots
Investigators said surveillance footage from the home included audio of 17 gunshots, and officers later recovered 17 spent 9mm shell casings in the kitchen area where Trey Roberts was found. Police also said they found a black handgun with an empty magazine tucked under the driver's seat of a Jeep Grand Cherokee parked in the driveway, and they believe that weapon was used in the homicide, the outlet reports.
Surveillance video reportedly showed Breylon Roberts driving away from the scene in the Jeep after the shooting. Witnesses told investigators that he later went to a family member's home, where he was described as acting strangely and took a shower before eventually returning to the Dorset Avenue house, where he was arrested.
Not Guilty Plea, Held Without Bond
Roberts has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, ClickOnDetroit reported, and he is being held without bond, the station noted. He remains in Oakland County Jail as the case proceeds toward the January hearing.
Police have pointed to a reported years-long conflict between the brothers as a possible factor behind the shooting. Friends and family indicated to investigators that Breylon Roberts and Trey Roberts had clashed over the prior couple of years, with the tension attributed to perceived differences in Trey's success. Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren told ClickOnDetroit that the alleged jealousy stemmed from the suspect's resentment of his brother's success, though that explanation remains an attributed account from investigators rather than an established motive.
The case has drawn additional local coverage, including a report from C&G News examining the family dynamics behind the killing. For now, the next scheduled milestone in the case remains the Jan. 8 preliminary examination before Judge Arvant, where evidence will be presented and the judge will determine whether probable cause exists to move the case toward trial.
