Young Black Woman Killed, Allegedly Shot While Knocking On Door For Help
DEARBORN HEIGHTS (WWJ/AP) - Prosecutors are seeking more information from police before deciding whether to charge a man who fatally shot a young woman on the porch of a Dearborn Heights home.
Ninteen-year-old Renisha McBride, of Detroit, was killed by a shotgun blast at a home in the 16000 block of Outer Drive around 2:30 a.m. Saturday.
Family members say McBride had been seeking help at the house after her cell phone died following a car accident. They say McBride, who is African-American, was shot in the back of the head as she turned to leave.
Police say they've identified the person who shot McBride and requested a warrant in the case. But the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office sent the request back to police on Wednesday for additional investigation before making a charging decision.
The race and identity of the shooter, along with the charges against him, have not been released.
McBride's aunt Bernita Spinks, who is acting as family spokeswoman, said the family wants justice.
"He shot her in the head ... for what? For knocking on his door," Spinks told the Detroit News. "If he felt scared or threatened, he should have called 911."
According to reports, the shooter apparently told police he fired his weapon in self-defense, thinking that McBride was an intruder.
"You see a young black lady on your porch and you shoot?" Spinks said. "There was no window broken. My niece didn't bother anyone. She went looking for help and now she's dead."
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