Metro Detroit 'planned killing spree': Court hearing today for suspect in Keith Kitchen's murder

Crime spree happened

TAYLOR, Mich. – Vernest James Griffin, the man who is allegedly responsible for the death of Keith Kitchen, is expected in court Monday for a preliminary hearing.

A step-by-step walkthrough of what happened in the Taylor shooting is expected. It is also expected that evidence will be looked at to see if there is enough to move from district to circuit court.

Police said the crime spree started Feb. 1 in Taylor when Griffin allegedly walked into the BSD Linehaul Inc. trucking company building and opened fire, killing Kitchen, a manager of the business.

READ BACK: 2 killed after man armed with AK-47 goes on 'planned killing spree' throughout Metro Detroit

Griffin was allegedly fired from BSD Linehaul Inc. before the shooting spree. Kitchen's niece, Brooke Bright, said Griffin came back to the business to receive $20 he was owed. 

"He has ripped this family apart, we are broken at the moment," Bright said.

After Kitchen was killed, police said Griffin carjacked a semi-truck and "pulled another person off at gunpoint." Police also said he had an AK-47 and multiple 30-round magazines.

Griffin then allegedly drove all the way to Pontiac, where he found and allegedly fatally shot another former boss -- 58-year-old Eriberto Perez. He then hunted for a third former boss in Waterford Township, but was involved in a crash. Police tracked him down and got into a shootout before the third victim was found. 

Family of Kitchen's said many of their family members work at BSD Linehaul Inc. and they are convinced Griffin would have shot them if they were there, too.

The Pontiac court case is currently at a standstill, but will move forward once a competency exam is complete. The exam is expected in May.

Stay with ClickOnDetroit for updates. 


About the Author:

Nick joined the Local 4 team in February of 2015. Prior to that he spent 6 years in Sacramento covering a long list of big stories including wildfires and earthquakes. Raised in Sterling Heights, he is no stranger to the deep history and pride Detroit has to offer.