Mom: Slaying Of Girl Was Over Cell Phone
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Detroit police say they've arrested two people in connection with Tuesday's shooting death of a 12-year-old girl.
Amanda Talton told the Detroit Free Press that a man came to her home on Ferguson, near Seven Mile and the Southfield Freeway, on Detroit's northwest side Tuesday night believing she had a phone that belonged to another woman. She denied she had it and closed the door.
That's when shots were fired through the door, striking her daughter, Kade'jah Davis, multiple times.
"We were running and getting down," Talton said.
A 19-year-old man suspect in the shooting was arrested late Tuesday, while his 35-year-old mother, who police believed drove him to the home, was arrested Wednesday, police said. Charges are planned.
"They should have shot me and not my daughter," Talton said.
The girl was taken to an area hospital where she died, police said. Family and friends remembered her at a candlelight vigil Wednesday night.
Talton said the misunderstanding arose after she went to a home-based tax business to discuss a refund she hadn't received. She was told an IRS mistake was to blame. While there, she said she found a cellphone in the restroom and handed it to one of the office workers. When the man from the tax business arrived at her home Tuesday night, she thought he was there to discuss her refund, not to accuse her of taking a mobile phone.
Chief Ralph Godbee said the suspects were arrested less than six hours after the shooting. He credited information from citizens for providing information that led to the arrests, as well as the quick work of homicide and patrol officers.
"This was just a senseless act of violence," Godbee said.
Kade'jah was in the sixth grade at University Yes Academy in Detroit, officials said, and counselors were expected to be on hand for students. Tarrieck Rideaux, principal of the academy, said Kade'jah was on the honor roll.
"Kade'jah was an angel of a student," Rideaux said.
A warrant request has been submitted to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office for review.
TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
