Oakland County Prosecutor Charges Three Pontiac Men in Gang-Related Shooting Incident
PONTIAC, Mich. – Oakland County Prosecutor KAREN D. McDONALD charged William Hanley, a 21-year-old Pontiac resident, with Assault with Intent to do Great Bodily Harm Less Than Murder, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Felony Firearm. The charges stem from an apparent gang-related shooting. Damian Thomas, a 23-year-old Pontiac resident, and Devone Calhoun, a 23-year-old Southfield resident, were also charged with Assault and Battery for their role in the altercation.
On July 28, the three defendants were filming a music video at a Pontiac gas station when a physical altercation broke out with a member of a rival gang. The victim, a 23-year-old male, attempted to retreat from the fight but the defendants followed him. Defendant Hanley allegedly fired a handgun at the victim, who allegedly returned fire before attempting again to retreat. No one was struck during the incident. Multiple bullet casings were recovered from the gas station parking lot and nearby neighborhood.
“Pontiac residents have a right to safe neighborhoods,” said Prosecutor McDonald. “The alleged actions of these defendants were directed at the victim, but they also endangered the entire community with a gun fight. While we can be grateful no one was injured, it doesn’t make this behavior any less irresponsible and dangerous.”
The defendants were identified and apprehended by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. They were arraigned Thursday in 50th District Court. Hanley is being held on a $25,000 cash bond. He is scheduled to return to court on August 21 for a probable cause conference.
“I am very proud of our team and our partners effort to not only identify the individuals involved in this violent shooting at a gas station, but then to track them down and arrest the suspected shooter,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. “The charges issued by the Prosecutor are strong and will hold him accountable.”
Assault with Intent to do Great Bodily Harm Less Than Murder is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Carrying a Concealed Weapon is punishable by up to five years in prison.
Felony Firearm is punishable by two years in prison, served consecutively with any other sentence. Assault and Battery is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail.
Press Release Courtesy of The Office of Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald
