DETROIT (WWJ) — A suspect accused of shooting a 2-year-old boy on Detroit’s east side has turned himself in, ending a manhunt that began Tuesday night.
Detroit police said they were searching for 27-year-old Darius Lacey, who fled the scene of the shooting near the Jefferson Square Apartments with two "companions" in a black Dodge Charger.
Interim Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison told reporters that police has units both on the ground and in the air, hunting for Lacy.
The shooting, which Bettison said was "domestic in nature," happened on Dickerson Avenue shortly before 7 p.m.
Bettison said the shooting involved Lacey's ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend, but investigators were not sure who fired shots first.
“So the ex-boyfriend gets into a shoot-out with the new boyfriend, and in the exchange of gunfire, his child was shot,” Bettison said.
In total, Bettison said 15 shell casings were found at the scene.
The 2-year-old boy was rushed to the hospital by a family member. Investigators believe he was shot once through the leg, and he's to be in stable condition.
According to police, the wounded boy is Lacy's own son.
Late Tuesday night, police said they were able to locate the other parties who were with the suspect, but they were still looking for Lacey Wednesday morning.
During a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Bettison announced that Lacy "took accountability" and turned himself in to police.
"We have the subject in custody; he did a safe surrender and turned himself in," Bettison said. "And we actually have two subjects in custody. It was a dispute between new boyfriend and ex-boyfriend, and both have turned themselves in."
Bettison was asked by reporters what led to this shooting, and whether substance abuse may have been a factor.
"It's too early to tell," Bettis son said. "In domestic type relationships, you know, people just don't know how to break up with each other nowadays...when you're starting a new relationship, ending a relationship, when you have children involved."
"We see it regardless of city, what state, what township. It doesn't apply to race. It's a people thing; it's a human thing."
Expected charges are pending, as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information about this case call the Detroit Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
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