OXFORD TWP. (WWJ) – An investigation is underway after a deadly shooting at an apartment complex in Oxford Township early Wednesday morning.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office says the 36-year-old suspect told police he had received a threatening text message early Wednesday morning and then went searching for the culprit.
Officials said he fatally shot 54-year-old Dennis Kendrick, who lived in the same complex and was just about to leave for work.
Despite not knowing Kendrick, the suspect told authorities the person he shot was the one who had sent the offensive text.
The suspect, whose name has not been released, pending formal charges, was arrested at the scene without incident and is being held in the Oakland County Jail.
He could be facing criminal charges as early as Thursday.
Police officials say Kendrick was sitting in his Ford Escape in the parking lot of the Abbey Ridge Apartment Homes complex on Market Street in Oxford Township, getting ready to leave for work around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Authorities say the suspect was walking around the complex looking for the person he claimed had threatened him.
The suspect apparently saw Kendrick sitting in his car and concluded he was the culprit, according to police.
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The suspect – who had no connection to Kendrick, according to police – claimed it was Kendrick who had sent the threatening message.
Authorities have not revealed what the alleged text message said.
The suspect shot Kendrick multiple times with a 9 mm handgun and then called police to report the shooting.
Kendrick was pronounced dead at the scene. The Oakland County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide from a gunshot wound. Detectives recovered six spent shell casings from the scene. The suspect had a concealed pistol license.
Sheriff Michael Bouchard was angered by what he called a senseless killing.
“The random and unprovoked violence we are seeing across the county is unacceptable and those who commit these violent acts must be held to account,” Bouchard said, per a press release.
