“Washtenaw County, MI Sees Surge in Homicides: Victims Remembered”

Accident – death – Obituary News : Washtenaw County, MI experienced a surge in violence in 2023, making it the most violent year in the past decade, according to records from the medical examiner’s office. A total of 22 homicides were reported, marking a significant increase compared to previous years. In 2022, there were 13 homicides, and in 2021, there were 21.

The term “homicide” refers to a death directly caused by another person’s actions. Many of the homicides occurred during the summer months, with 12 deaths happening within a nine-week period. The increase in violence was so severe that at one point, there were four consecutive Thursdays where someone in the county was killed by another person.

Although the medical examiner’s office reported 22 homicides, local news outlet MLive/The Ann Arbor News only reported on 19 of them. It remains unclear when and where the other three homicides occurred, as the police have not released any information about them.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the specific cases that occurred in Washtenaw County in 2023:

1. Fatal shooting in a parking lot near Ann Arbor: Andrea Grant, a 50-year-old woman, was found fatally shot outside The Den physical training center in January. The suspect, Michael Anthony Elinski, Grant’s former boyfriend, was later found dead in his car.

2. Medical neglect leads to the death of a 16-year-old boy: A 16-year-old boy died in January due to alleged medical neglect at his home in Salem Township. Cheryl D’Angola, the boy’s mother, was charged with involuntary manslaughter and second-degree child abuse. However, D’Angola passed away due to medical complications before the case could proceed.

3. Restraint leads to the death of a 41-year-old man: A 41-year-old man from Ypsilanti died in February after being restrained during a physical altercation with a family member. The incident resulted in a cardiac event, leading to the man’s death. The location of this incident remains unclear, and it is unknown if there are any pending charges.

4. Break-in and murder of Ann Arbor community leader: Jude Walton, a 51-year-old community leader, was found dead in her home in April. Surveillance footage showed Ricky McCain entering Walton’s home shortly before her death. McCain is set to head to trial on charges of felony murder, first-degree home invasion, and assault with intent to commit sexual penetration.

5. Homicide of a Jackson High School teacher: Alyson Doulos, a 48-year-old teacher, was found dead in her Ypsilanti Township apartment in March. Charles Gamez was charged with open murder and unlawfully driving away. Detectives believe that Doulos died on March 11, the last time she was seen with Gamez.

6. Shooting near home leads to the death of a 24-year-old man: Donrell Canda was shot and killed outside his home in Ann Arbor in June. The suspect, Sekou Conde, allegedly confronted and shot Canda before following him into his home and firing more shots. Conde was charged with open murder, first-degree home invasion, carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent, and two counts of felony firearm.

7. Fatal shooting during an argument: Jermaine Denzmore, a 39-year-old man from Ecorse, was fatally shot during an argument in Ypsilanti Township. Martez Robinson was charged with open murder, fleeing a police officer, and carrying a concealed weapon.

8. Fatal shooting on I-94: Jason Gregory, an 18-year-old who recently moved to Michigan from Alabama, was shot and killed on westbound I-94 in Lima Township. Kendall Lloyd Newbern, a 16-year-old from Ann Arbor, was charged with open murder, armed robbery, assault with intent to rob while armed, and larceny from a person.

These are just a few examples of the homicides that occurred in Washtenaw County in 2023. The increase in violence has raised concerns within the community, and law enforcement agencies are working to address the underlying causes behind this surge in homicides..