Skip to main content

78-year-old man faces 12 charges in Detroit apartment complex triple shooting

Allegedly, a 62-year-old woman picked up the shooter’s gun and fired it, non-fatally wounding him

DETROIT – Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged James Albert Britton, 78, of Detroit, in connection with the non-fatal shootings of a 64-year-old man, a 65-year-old man, and a 70-year-old woman, all of Detroit.

On August 11, 2025, at approximately 9:31 p.m., Detroit police officers were dispatched to an apartment complex in the 7500 block of East Jefferson for a reported shooting.

Upon their arrival, police said they located the 64-year-old victim with a gunshot graze to the cheek, the 65-year-old victim with gunshot wounds to his right armpit and right abdomen, the 70-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to her left ankle, and Britton with a gunshot wound to his left thigh.

Medics arrived on the scene and transported the victims and the defendant to a local hospital for treatment.

It is alleged that a verbal altercation between Britton and the 65-year-old victim escalated, and the 78-year-old produced and fired a handgun multiple times, non-fatally wounding the victims.

It is then alleged that the 65-year-old victim tackled the defendant to the ground, causing the defendant to drop his handgun.

It is further alleged that a 62-year-old woman picked up the defendant’s gun and fired it, non-fatally wounding Britton.

Police said the 64-year-old and 70-year-old victims were innocent bystanders who had no involvement in the altercation.

Britton has been charged with four counts of assault with intent to murder, one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, one count of carrying a concealed weapon, one count of carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent, and six counts of felony firearm.

He was arraigned Thursday (Aug. 14) morning in 36th District Court and received a $500,000 cash/surety bond with a GPS tether and house arrest.

A bond re-determination hearing is scheduled for Aug. 18, 2025, at 9 a.m.

The probable cause conference is scheduled for Aug. 27, 2025, at 8:30 a.m., and the preliminary examination is scheduled for Sept. 3, 2025, at 8:45 a.m.

Detroit police Deputy Chief Arnold Williams talks quadruple shooting on the city’s east side

Previous report:


Recommended Videos