DETROIT (WWJ) - A Detroit man has been charged with the murder of one man and the assault of another he allegedly targeted because of their sexual orientation.
Demetris Antonio Nelson, 26, was arraigned in 36th District Court Friday in connection with the shooting death of 31-year-old Brian Anderson and critical wounding of 26-year-old Malcolm Drake on Saturday, July 6.
Nelson was charged with count each of first-degree murder, felony murder, assault with intent to murder and assault with intent to ron while armed and four counts of using a firearm during commission of a felony.
He was remanded to jail without bond.
Prosecutors allege that Nelson targeted Anderson and Drake because they were gay, and used the dating app Grindr to contact them. An investigation by Detroit police officers from July 6 to 8 led to Nelson’s identification and arrest.
“The allegations are that social media contacts were used to target, contact, rob, fatally shoot one gay man, and seriously wound another gay man,"Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement. "To some this will be just another hateful and violent act in America. They will read about this case and continue to go about their day. To me, that is quite tragic.”
A special prosecutor with the Fair Michigan Justice Project was assigned to the case. The project assists Michigan law enforcement officers and prosecutors in solving serious crimes against gay, bisexual and transgender people.
“We are saddened and outraged by this despicable crime," said Fair Michigan President Alanna Maguire. "This case is just the most recent example of how members of Detroit’s LGBTQ community are too often targets of violence. The Fair Michigan Justice Project is proud to partner with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and the Detroit Police Department to aggressively prosecute these ruthless crimes.”
Nelson will be back in court for a probable cause conference scheduled for July 26, followed by a preliminary exam set for August 2.