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Detroit man charged in fatal shooting of custodian outside Chrysler Elementary School

District officials said there were no students or school staff inside the building at the time of the shooting

Kevin Flagg, 43, of Detroit, is facing multiple felony charges for allegedly fatally shooting 25-year-old Detroit resident Devin Burns outside Chrysler Elementary School on July 3, 2026. (Courtesy Detroit Police Department)

DETROIT – The suspect accused of fatally shooting a 25-year-old Detroit man during a dispute outside Chrysler Elementary School has been charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, and two felony firearm counts in the case.

Prosecutors allege that Kevin Flagg, 43, of Detroit fatally shot Devin Burns — a custodian at the school contracted by Detroit Public Schools Community District — just after 5:15 p.m. on July 2, in the parking lot of the school on E. Lafayette Street.

Police say the incident stemmed from a verbal altercation between three men that escalated into a physical fight, at which point Flagg allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot Burns.

Flagg, who is a concealed pistol license holder, was taken into custody at the scene, and officers recovered a firearm.

When police arrived, Burns was on the ground with with a gunshot wound in his chest. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries.

Flagg was given a $250,000 cash/surety bond at his arraignment at the 36th District Court on July 11. His bond was reduced to $150,000 cash/surety at a bond redetermination hearing on Monday.

He will return to court July 20 for a probable cause conference.

In a statement, Detroit Public Schools Community District confirmed that Burns was a contracted custodian assigned to Chrysler Elementary School.

District officials said there were no students or school staff inside the building at the time of the shooting.