A Detroit man is facing major federal charges after FBI agents say he arranged a late-night meet-up through social media, attempted to rob a victim identified in court records as T.B., discovered the victim had no money, and then escalated the crime into a violent armed carjacking that included firing two shots at the victim.
Federal court records show Jabari McMullin was charged January 30, 2026, in U.S. District Court with carjacking and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, following a January 28 incident on Detroit’s west side.
According to a sworn FBI affidavit, T.B. told police he met McMullin through X and drove to an apartment complex on West Chicago Street around 11:30pm. McMullin entered T.B.’s 2018 Ford Escape, and the two drove to a parking lot about half a mile away.
After sitting inside the vehicle for roughly 30 minutes, McMullin suddenly announced that he was robbing him.
The FBI says McMullin produced a pistol and told T.B., “this is one of those situations,” before demanding all of his money, credit cards, and cell phone. McMullin then forced T.B. to open his banking apps so he could see how much money was available. When one account was opened, McMullin warned, “it’s about to go down if you don’t do what I say.”
That is when the crime took a critical turn.
According to McMullin’s own statements to investigators, he realized T.B. had no money. That is when McMullin decided to take the vehicle instead.
T.B. exited the Escape as McMullin slid into the driver’s seat. When the SUV became stuck in the snow and T.B. tried to grab the door handle, McMullin opened the door, leaned out with the pistol, and fired two shots at him to complete the carjacking. T.B. fled on foot and called 911 from a nearby gas station.
Later that night, law enforcement used license plate reader technology to track the stolen Escape near M-39 and Joy Road. Michigan State Police attempted a traffic stop, but McMullin ran from the vehicle before being captured one block away. Inside the SUV, officers found a black pistol wedged between the driver’s seat and center console, in plain view. mcmillandetroit
During a recorded FBI interrogation on January 29, McMullin admitted he decided to rob T.B. because “he needed money.” He acknowledged bringing the pistol, forcing T.B. to surrender his keys, credit cards, and phone, and firing the gun when T.B. tried to stop him from taking the vehicle. He also admitted the gun found in the Escape was the same gun used in the shooting.
Federal agents also found digital evidence tying McMullin to the stolen SUV. A consent search of his phone revealed photos of him holding the Escape’s key fob and images of the vehicle’s dashboard, all taken after the carjacking occurred.
Because the Ford Escape was manufactured in Louisville, Kentucky, it qualifies under federal law as a vehicle that traveled in interstate commerce, giving the FBI jurisdiction and triggering enhanced penalties. Firing a gun during a violent crime carries mandatory prison time under federal law.
McMullin now faces charges for carjacking and for discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. If convicted, he faces decades in federal prison.
Discuss this on our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CU7Z172ve/