Suspect in Detroit Princess cruise shooting turns herself into police

DETROIT (WXYZ) - The woman accused of shooting six people after a Detroit Princess cruise has turned herself into police, 7 Action News has learned.

Sources tell 7 Action News Latoiya Mitchell, 29, was on the run and has been sleeping in parks and vacant homes.

Byron Pitts, Mitchell's defense attorney, says he had been in constant contact with police and today his client was ready to move forward in the case and turn herself into police. Pitts says his client maintains her innocence and believes when all the facts are revealed, it will be clear that Mitchell and her husband were under attack when she opened fire early Monday morning.

The shooting outside of the Detroit Princess boat stemmed from an altercation that happened on board and an on-going dispute between families and extended relatives. Officers say after the boat docked, the shooting suspect went back to her car, got a gun and opened fire on the crowd.

A family member of one of the victims said Mitchell was trying to protect her new husband, Michael Thomas. The two recently married and were celebrating with family on the boat.

The family member says Mitchell's husband was involved in an argument on the cruise and when he got off the boat, he was attacked by people with golf clubs. We're told Mitchell fired shots in a panic because she was afraid her husband would be beaten to death.

The family member went on to say that Mitchell was able to get her husband back in the car, but as they drove away, a second shooter opened fire. Mitchell's husband was shot several times and was in critical condition Friday morning. The other shooting victims suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Police will not comment on the possibility of a second shooter.

Police believe surveillance video should provide some answers about what happened because at least three cameras recorded the entire incident.