DETROIT – “A cell phone — a lost, or missing, or misplaced one … That is what this case comes down to.”
That is how Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy opened a Friday morning press conference announcing charges against the man accused in a triple fatal mass shooting at an after-hours party in Detroit on Sunday.
“Seven people shot — three are dead — over a fight between women who couldn’t control their emotions because allegedly a cell phone went missing,” Worthy continued. “The fight among these women continued outside the venue, and then a gun was introduced into the midst by the defendant that we are now charging today.”
Watch->>Prosecutors announce charges in triple fatal shooting at illegal Detroit after-hours party spot
Christopher Rafael Gouch, 25, of Detroit, was arraigned Friday morning on 14 charges stemming from the incident, including three counts of first-degree murder, four counts of assault with intent to murder, and seven counts of felony firearm.
The shooting happened around 7 a.m. Sept. 27 at a home on Prest Street on the city’s west side, where Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison said an illegal strip club-type establishment is located. Among those killed was a security guard, a DJ and a party-goer, prosecutors said.
“Sunday morning demonstrated how serious the consequences can be when illegal establishments are allowed to operate,” Bettison said after the shooting.
The three fatal victims have been identified as Ansley Harris Jr., 45, and Donahvan Gray, 36, both of Detroit; and Kevin Scott, 63, of Belleville. A 32-year-old woman from Detroit, 25-year-old man from Redford, 30-year-old man from Detroit and 28-year-old woman from Detroit also sustained gunshot wounds.
“Some of the most tragic events occur because a totally unrelated event spirals completely out of control,” Worthy said. “The alleged evidence in this case speaks to exactly that: women who could not control their anger led to violence among them and that led to the shooting of seven people. This was unnecessary and ridiculous and now three people will never see another day.”
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Gouch, a licensed CPL holder with no previous criminal history, claims that he intervened in the altercation to prevent another person from getting jumped, “and when he did that, he got jumped,” his attorney said in court on Friday.
Bond was denied in the case and Gouch was remanded to the custody of the Wayne County Jail while the case is pending. He’s due back in court for a probable cause conference on Oct. 9.
