DETROIT (WWJ) -- A Detroit man has been charged in connection with the mass shooting that happened on the city's west side over the weekend that left two people dead and six others injured.
Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced that 36-year-old Winston Kirtley Jr. has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, six counts of assault with intent to murder, two counts of discharge at a building and 10 counts of felony firearm.
These charges are in connection with the fatal shootings of 39-year-old Toyake Thirkeild and 38-year-old Andre Willis, and the non-fatal shootings of a 40-year-old man, a 35-year-old woman, a 35-year-old man, a 39-year-old woman, a 19-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, all of Detroit.
After arraignment, Kirtley was sent back to jail to await his next court hearings.
Officials said the weekend shooting stemmed from a parking dispute, as a car was blocking the suspect's driveway while attending a neighbor's birthday party.
On Sunday, July 31, at approximately 2:44 a.m., Detroit police officers arrived at Kirtley's house in the 11630 block of Coyle Street, near Plymouth and Greenfield, for a reported shooting. Upon their arrival, officers said they located multiple victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.
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Authorities say Kirtley, who police say has a military background and had 11 weapons inside, came out of his house and fired shots across the street when the verbal altercation escalated.
That's when he fatally wounded Mr. Thirkeild and Mr. Willis, and non-fatally wounded the remaining victims.
One person died that same day and another died the next day on Monday, while six others were injured in the hail of gunfire.
“It’s incredibly sad that two families have to bury their loved ones who were killed over a minor dispute by someone who had no respect for the lives of others,” Chief James White said, per a press release. “Thankfully, our officers were able to take this suspect into custody before anyone else was hurt, but this shooting never should have happened. We need every business, every faith-based organization, every school and every Detroiter to step up and work together to put an end to the violence we’re seeing.”
Kirtley's probable cause conference is scheduled for August 18 at 8:30 a.m., and the preliminary examination is scheduled for August 25 at 1:45 p.m.
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