WATERFORD, Mich. – Two 18-year-old men are facing felony charges in connection to a December 2025 shooting at a Waterford apartment complex that left another man severely injured.
According to Waterford police, dispatch received a call around 5 p.m. on Dec. 26 about a shooting at the River’s Edge Apartments in the area of Pontiac Lake and Airport roads. When officers arrived, they found a 23-year-old man on the exterior steps of the apartment building with a gunshot wound to the chest.
Recommended Videos
The victim, a resident of the complex, told police that he was shot by a friend of his roommate. He was transported to McLaren-Oakland Hospital for treatment.
During the investigation into the incident, police determined that two suspects — identified as Ricardo Johnson and Carmelo Buckles — acted “in concert,” forcing entry into the victim’s bedroom. Police say the victim returned fire, striking Buckles in the hand and leaving DNA evidence at the scene. Both suspects reportedly fled the scene before police arrived.
While both suspects were located and arrested the night of the incident, they were both subsequently released, pending results of forensic testing and further investigation.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office charged both individuals on April 7, 2026, with one count of assault with intent to murder and a felony firearm charge.
Police say Buckles was arrested on June 4 with assistance from the Detroit Police Department, and Johnson was arrested July 8 with assistance from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Team.
Both were arraigned before 51st District Court Judge Todd Fox and issued a $5 million cash/surety bond.
Buckles and Johnson are expected back in court for a probable cause conference on Tuesday, July 21.