SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Neighbors on Pineview, near Dequindre and Hamlin roads in Shelby Township, spent the days leading up to the new year counting bullet holes instead of enjoying the holidays.
The rounds tore through a trailer on Pineview Drive about 6:30 a.m. Dec. 26, according to Shelby Township police. Officers were dispatched after a report of multiple gunshots fired into the residence; while they were on the way, other nearby residents also called 911 to report the sound of gunfire.
“Some of the rounds went through the front and blew up the toilet on the way through,” one neighbor, Justin Hyatt said.
Police said the residence had been struck multiple times. Officers found several spent shell casings in the street. Two people were inside the trailer at the time of the shooting, but neither were injured. The suspect fled before officers arrived.
“The guy I guess got out of the car, stood in the street and then fired right into the trailer,” Hyatt said.
“Apparently they had some sort of disagreement and he came back to the trailer,” Shelby Township police Lt. Mark Benedettini said. “Allegedly shot the trailer up.”
“These bullets could’ve went through here and they could’ve went all the way through here and killed somebody over there,” Hyatt said. “It’s not like a brick house.”
Police identified the suspect as 24-year-old Keshawn Ali Lamar Webster of Oak Park. Sources told Local 4 Webster had been in the process of transitioning. According to police, the investigation determined the shooting was not random.
Evidence technicians, detectives and the department’s Special Investigations Unit conducted several interviews and executed multiple search warrants before identifying Webster as the suspect.
The Special Investigations Unit later located Webster’s vehicle near 9 Mile and Jefferson in St. Clair Shores. Detectives set up surveillance, and around 3:30 p.m. Dec. 26, Webster was seen walking to the vehicle and was taken into custody.
“He was carrying a purse and he had a handgun in his purse,” Lt. Benedettini said. “He was carrying that gun illegally.”
Police said additional evidence, including more shell casings, was recovered from the vehicle, which was towed from the scene.
On Dec. 30, Webster was arraigned in 41-A District Court on two counts of assault with intent to murder, four counts of felony firearm, discharge of a firearm from a vehicle and discharge of a firearm into a building. His bond was set at $1 million cash or surety.
“It ends like this,” Hyatt said. “You get arrested, you shoot -- you do something stupid. And now you’re the idiot in jail who, now people are wondering why.”