DETROIT (WXYZ) — A cold blooded killing has left a family in Detroit pleading for the person who pulled the trigger to be caught.
U.S. Marshals are asking for help to find a shooter who opened fire killing a man outside a Detroit gas station. He’s believed to be armed and dangerous.
Jeffrey Austion, 59, was a loving family man who brought a smile to all those who knew him. His nephew recalls the good times and how uncle Jeffrey inspired him as a writer and accomplished chef.
"Most definitely a jokester," Ronnie Austion said. "He would laugh, say crazy stuff and joke around, but also one of the smartest people I know. I have a lot of his writings in the house I picked, up and was thinking about getting them published for him."
Ronnie says heartbreak came after his uncle was shot and killed on May 5 near the Citgo station at Fairfield and Fenkell.
The alleged murderer, 20-year-old Gary Michael Lightfoot III, came up to Jeffrey out of nowhere saying he owed him money and urging him to get into a car, police say.
When Jeffrey refused, Lightfoot, who is known on the street as "Mikey," returned 12 minutes later with an AK and opened fire.
“Lightfoot shoots nine rounds. One caught him in the leg. He died and bleeds out,” said Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Aaron Garcia.
Garcia says Llightfoot didn't plan on leaving evidence behind, but he could still be hiding out in the Detroit area.
“The vehicle he was seen in on video that he was driving, was found the next day completely burned up. So, he tried to burn the evidence, and is now evading capture,” Garcia said.
If you can help with this case, call the U.S. Marshals or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
