Man charged with murder in shooting of ex-girlfriend in front of her child on Detroit's west side

Earl Thomas-Lionel Maxwell charged with first-degree murder

Earl Thomas-Lionel Maxwell is accused of fatally shooting Latrese Morris-Dorsey, 42, June 18, 2017 at her home in the 20060 block of Avon Avenue. (WDIV)

DETROIT – A 37-year-old man was charged Thursday in connection with the fatal shooting of his ex-girlfriend during an argument on Detroit's west side.

Earl Thomas-Lionel Maxwell is accused of shooting Latrese Morris-Dorsey, 42, of Detroit, multiple times Sunday night at her home in the 20060 block of Avon Avenue.

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Police said Maxwell shot Morris-Dorsey in front of her 4-year-old daughter. Her 14-year-old son was in a nearby room in the house, police said.

Medical officials were called to the scene and pronounced Morris-Dorsey dead.

Maxwell is charged with first-degree murder and a felony firearms violation. He was arraigned Thursday in 36th District Court. You can watch his arraignment in the video below.

Police said Maxwell turned himself in to the Detroit Detention Center on Tuesday.

"What makes these allegations especially disturbing is that the crime was committed in the presence of one of the deceased children and within earshot of another," Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worth said. "They will have to live with these images for the rest of their lives."

ORIGINAL REPORT: Teen finds mother dead after hearing arguing, gunshots in Detroit home

Detroit police said the teen heard arguing and then gunshots. 

Maxwell was named a person of interest on Monday when police released his photo.

Neighbors said they rushed inside to try and help the woman.

The teen told police he saw a man running from the home moments after his mother was killed. He reported seeing a black man leaving the home and driving off in a dark-colored vehicle.

 

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About the Authors:

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.