ROSEVILLE, Mich. (WXYZ) — A 21-year-old man from Clinton Township has been charged in the fatal shooting of another man at a Roseville bar over the weekend.
Nolan Baca was not allowed bond after he was arraigned in 39th District Court Tuesday.
“Once again, our county is grieving the tragic death of a young man, due to a completely senseless act of violence,” stated Macomb County Prosecutor Eric J. Smith. “This blatant disregard for the lives of others must stop. We will continue to prosecute these individuals who threaten our communities to the fullest extent of the law.”
Baca allegedly shot and killed a 37-year-old Harrison Township man in a bathroom at Dooley's Tavern on Oct. 20.
He's been charged with second-degree murder, felony firearm and weapons carrying concealed.
This is Johnny, a father of 2 who was shot and killed. His best friend of more than 20 yrs was at the bar, tackled the shooter, wrestled away the gun, held him until police arrived. He says he’s heartbroken & traumatized by this “Senseless cowardly act that didn’t have to happen” https://t.co/Q1SemZab5o pic.twitter.com/LWXZi82Jub
— Jennifer Ann Wilson WXYZ (@JennaWils) October 22, 2019
Officers were called to Dooley's, 32500 Gratiot, around 12:40 a.m. on Sunday.
The victim, Johnny Owczarski, 31, was at Dooley's with his brother-in-law who asked not to be named. He says they were just using the bathroom when an argument started. He still doesn’t know over what.
Police and prosecutors allege that the victim and the defendant got into an altercation in the men’s bathroom and the defendant proceeded to shoot the victim multiple times. The medical examiner says Owczarski was shot five times.
Police say the victim’s brother-in-law wrestled the gun away from the defendant and shouted for someone to call 911. The defendant then ran through the bar to the parking lot, and the victim’s brother-in-law followed with Baca's gun still in hand.
The brother-in-law caught up with the suspect and detained him at gunpoint until police arrived.
The victim’s brother-in-law says he doesn’t feel like a hero, he feels devastated and traumatized.
“It was a senseless, cowardly act that didn’t have to happen,” he told 7 Action News over the phone.
Johnny was a fun-loving, devoted father of two.
“He just loved kids," says Erica Owczarski, ex-wife and mother of Owczarski’s 7-year-old daughter. "That’s all he wanted, was his kids and family to be together all the time,”
“Life will never be the same again, especially for our children. Our children are never going to have their dad, so it’s gonna be rough,” Erica added.
Johnny worked as a roofer where he earned many nicknames: “Johnny O,” “Johnny Mohawk” and “Turbo”
“I just know that he’s gone and my son won’t ever see his father again,” says Carlee Wilson, the mother of Johnny’s 2-year-old son.
Police say they recovered the murder weapon, which is registered to the defendant, Baca. The defendant, however, did not have a CPL and should not have had the weapon inside a bar.
Baca is scheduled to appear in court again on Oct. 30. He will remain in jail until then, the judge denied bond.
Meanwhile, family, friends and strangers have been donating to a fundraiser to help pay for funeral costs and start a fund for Johnny’s kids.
“It’s been a little bit easier with everyone’s support,"Erica said. "I just want to thank everybody and I’m sure Carlee would say the same thing. Our kids appreciate everything you’re doing for them.”
