Witnesses say debate over politics ended with a deadly shooting in Ecorse

(WXYZ- Ecorse) - Witnesses say two men were debating politics and current events in an Ecorse backyard, when one of them pulled out a gun. Now, Ecorse Police are investigating a murder.  

 “I tried to stop the bleeding,” said the nephew of the victim who didn’t share his name. “I tried to stop it, but I couldn’t.”

He says the man killed is 59-year-old Vernon Davis.  He says he and Davis spent yesterday working together, painting a house. When they arrived home they decided to barbeque. A neighbor saw them and joined them.

He says his uncle and the neighbor started arguing intensely after a discussion about politics.  

It turned into a physical altercation. The neighbor then pulled out a gun and shot his uncle. 

“I kept talking to him and praying at the same time. He looked at me and gurgled. I tried to figure out what he was saying. I couldn’t make it out. I wish to God that I could, but I couldn’t.”

The man with the gun then ran. Ecorse Police say they are still looking for him. 

Police say they were in the neighborhood investigating reports of gunshots, when they heard the shot that killed Davis. 

“We had officers close by approximately a quarter mile away,” said Jerry Champagne, Ecorse Director of Public Safety. “They heard gunshots and arrived at the area.”

Davis was rushed to the hospital where he died.

Relatives describe Davis as a God-fearing man who always worked hard for his family.

Anyone with information that could help in this investigation is asked to call Ecorse Police.