DETROIT (WWJ) - A Detroit man wanted in the beating death of a man from Berkley has been found and arrested.
Lawrence James Davis was charged last week with the murder of 24-year-old Tyler Jordan Wingate, but remained on the run until police tracked him to an apartment building in the 23500 block of W. 8 Mile Rd. near Telegraph Rd.
Charged with Open Murder, Davis is now jailed awaiting an arraignment expected to be held in in 36th District Court Wednesday.
According to investigators, Wingate and a passenger were driving northbound on Livernois Ave. in Detroit, sometime after 1 a.m. on July 22, when they were involved in a crash with another vehicle. Wingate and his companion got out of the car and walked into a gas station parking lot where it's alleged that Davis, 23, struck Wingate in the head. After he fell, according to Detroit police, Davis continued to assault him, ultimately killing him with a kick to the head.
Davis, who Detroit Police Chief James Craig said was at fault in the crash, left a 2007 Chevy Impala at the scene and fled on foot.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday afternoon, Craig thanked the community and the media for helping police find Davis.
He said all necessary resources were used to locate and arrest him.
"This took a little longer than we would've liked to. Clearly he was on the run," Craig said. "There's a suggestion of maybe there are people that was hiding him. They knew he was involved in this horrible crime, and did nothing to assist us. That is a problem for me."
Craig said it's not yet clear if others will be charged in connection with the case.
Family members have said Wingate, who grew up and graduated from high school in Berkley, was excited about recently moving to Detroit and looked forward to being a part of the city's renaissance. "Tyler was known for his contagious smile, constant good spirit and loving character," reads a Gofundme page, which has raised more than $59,000 in his honor.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Wingate's family members say they are relieved and grateful to Detroit Police for all their hard work. They plan to address the media following Davis' arraignment.