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19-year-old facing murder charges in shooting death of Detroit panhandler

Posted at 1:58 PM, Oct 15, 2021
and last updated 2021-10-15 15:49:44-04

(WXYZ) — Detroit police say a 19-year-old is facing murder charges in the shooting death of a Detroit panhandler, which police are saying was a case of “senseless violence.”

DPD Chief James White said police working together with community members led to the identity of the suspect.

Police say the incident happened on October 3 around 7:30 a.m. in the 11000 block of Dexter Avenue.

According to police, the suspect had a brief conversation with the victim before the incident.

“That interaction did not appear to be hostile in any way. Looks like the suspect gave our victim some change and the suspect began to walk off,” said Michael McGinnis, commander with the Detroit Police Department, in early October.

That’s when police say the suspect began to walk in circles, before approaching the victim again, pulling out a gun and shooting him once in the head before leaving the area.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

“It seems like a random execution for no reason,” said McGinnis earlier this month.

Chief White says the victim, 43-year-old Denez Dupree, was well known by the gas station attendants.

“Completely unprovoked, tragic and sad,” said Chief White.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced that she has charged Christopher Calvin Williams with First Degree Murder and Felony Firearm.

“It is hard to fathom what we have come to as a society. The allegations in this case illustrate that life can be lost randomly for senseless reasons,” said Prosecutor Worthy in a press conference. “Kindness, consideration, and compassion seem to have no value or place for some people anymore. This is heartbreaking.”