Police: Man Arrested In Fatal Shooting At Bus Stop Is Convicted Murderer
HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - Highland Park police say a suspect in custody in last week's fatal bus stop shooting had just been released after a prison stay for another murder.
Police say 50-year old Malcolm Benson — who allegedly gunned down 59-year old Army veteran Stanley Carter — had served 21 years behind bars.
The shooting occurred at around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday at a Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) stop along Woodward Ave. at Tennyson Street, between the Davison freeway and Chicago Blvd., where Carter was standing with a group of people.
After he was shot, police said, Carter staggered to the parking lot of a nearby seafood restaurant where he collapsed and died.
Chief Kevin Coney said information from the public led police to a Palmer Park-area apartment where Benson was hiding.
"Once we got all the tips from the people, the witnesses that were at the bus stop, this was the last piece of the puzzle that we needed," Coney said. "And once we put his picture and information out there, he didn't come forward — so that's why he became a suspect."
"Tips came in through Crime Stoppers and our detectives did an excellent job in the call backs ," he added. "Last Wednesday this crime happened and detectives have been up ever since trying to solve this."
Benson was arrested without incident.
Police said the shooting apparently stemmed from a botched robbery attempt. They're still trying to sort out the details surrounding the shooting.
No other injuries were reported at the bus stop.
According to Michigan Department of Corrections records, Benson pleaded no contest to charge of second degree murder and felony firearm in a case in Wayne County in 1995. He was listed as a parole absconder as of the day of the shooting.
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