MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – A Macomb County man who allegedly used his 2-year-old son as a “human shield” during a standoff with police was back in court on Monday.
Dalvin Devonte Brooks appeared before 41-B District Court Judge Carrie Lynn Fuca in the afternoon on Monday, March 31.
He waived his preliminary examination, and the case was bound over to circuit court.
His attorney, Shawn Coppins, also asked to address his bond conditions, and specifically discussed his communication privileges.
Brooks allegedly violated a condition and contacted the complainant multiple times, so his communication privileges were restricted.
Coppins asked the judge if some of the restrictions could be lifted, so Brooks could contact his mother and other family members, but not the victims.
The prosecutor, Maria Panchenko, told the judge she was strongly opposed to this, saying there were multiple calls to the complainant, which didn’t stop with a warning. Panchenko said they only stopped when Brooks’ privileges were actually restricted.
“I don’t believe that he’ll leave the complainant alone in this case,” said Panchenko.
The prosecutor also said the mother of the child is “horribly terrified of the defendant.”
“I believe that there is a reason that this court set the bond condition the way that it was,” said Panchenko. He violated it. He hasn’t done anything to show that he wasn’t going to violate it, and I have no faith whatsoever that he won’t contact the complainant."
The prosecutor said she was also concerned that Brooks would have a family member or friend contact the victim on his behalf.
The judge said the bond conditions will remain in place.
Brooks is scheduled to be in court again on April 17.
You can watch the full hearing in the video at the top of this article.
Background
On Sunday, Jan. 12, Brooks allegedly physically assaulted and pointed a gun at the mother of his 2-year-old son.
After that, Brooks picked up the 2-year-old and held him at gunpoint, according to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.
When Clinton Township officers arrived at the home, Brooks allegedly barricaded himself inside a bedroom and used the child as a “human shield.”
Brooks was arraigned on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, on seven counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, eight counts of felony firearm, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, fourth-degree child abuse, and domestic violence. He was also charged as a habitual fourth offender and given a $500,000 bond.
