Slain West Bloomfield Township teen's father says he was good kid who respected grandparents

Grandmother accused of shooting grandson to death at West Bloomfield home

WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The father of a teen who was shot to death at his grandparents' West Bloomfield home on Friday says the teen was a good kid who respected his grandparents.

Sandra Layne, 74, faces an open murder charge as she stands accused of shooting her 17-year-old grandson, Jonathan Hoffman, eight times at her home. The teen died from gunshot wounds.

Layne's attorney says the woman was afraid of her grandson. She purchased the weapon not long before the shooting.

Now, Hoffman's father is speaking out.

"I'm devastated, as is my family," he said. "We're all in a complete state of shock. We can't make sense of this senseless act."

Complete coverage: Grandson killed at West Bloomfield home

Hoffman said his son was "brilliant, energetic, creative young boy who had so much potential."

Police removed several items from the home including Layne's anti-anxiety medication and empty prescription bottles, ammunition, the Glock 17 handgun, marijuana residue in Jonathan's room along with scales, packaging materials, an Apple iPod and computer and the teen's black leather wallet.

Police were working to interview Layne's 84-year-old husband. Investigators want to know if the woman told her husband to leave the home before the shooting. He was not at the home when the shooting happened but he was nearby.