DETROIT – Charges have been dismissed for a 19-year-old from Romulus, who was accused of shooting two people just before the Ford Fireworks in Downtown Detroit.
Alphonso Cooper Jr. was initially charged 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.
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The shooting happened just after 10 p.m. on June 23, near the intersection of Larned and Randolph streets. Police said the shooting happened 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 and survived their injuries.
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 on July 7 and was arraigned on July 10.
During a court appearance on Sept. 30, a judge dismissed the case due to insufficient evidence, according to court records.