DETROIT – A 19-year-old from Romulus is facing multiple felonies in connection with a shooting just before the Ford Fireworks in Downtown Detroit.
Alphonso Cooper Jr. was charged Thursday, July 10, with two counts of assault with intent to murder, two counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm, one count of carrying a concealed weapon and four counts of felony firearm.
He pleaded not guilty.
The shooting happened just after 10 p.m. June 23, near the intersection of Larned and Randolph streets. Police said the shooting occurred outside the area protected by metal detectors.
According to authorities, the intended target, a 17-year-old boy from Van Buren Township, was struck by gunfire. An innocent bystander -- only identified as a 22-year-old woman -- was also shot.
Both victims were hospitalized, but they are expected to survive.
Police believe Cooper and the 17-year-old got into a fight over a dispute of about $200. Cooper reportedly fired multiple shots, hitting the boy in his legs and the bystander in the hand.
Police identified Cooper as the suspected gunman and Markalowe Keith Steen Jr., 18, of Brownstown, as a person of interest. Cooper was taken into custody Monday, July 7, and was arraigned Thursday, July 10.
His bond was set at $500,000 cash surety. If posted, Cooper would be placed on house arrest with a GPS tether and be banned from speaking with witnesses.
His next court date is scheduled for July 14.