PONTIAC (WWJ) – A Pontiac man is being held without bond on multiple charges, including open murder, in connection with the fatal shooting of a teenage girl last month.
K'Nique Lawrence, 32, was arraigned Tuesday for the shooting death of 16-year-old Desiree Childs on Oct. 28. Another man, 27-year-old Jameel Tanzil, is believed to be involved in the shooting, according to a criminal complaint filed last Friday.
Authorities say the teen was walking with a friend in the area of South Johnson and Menominee in Pontiac shortly before 11:30 p.m. that Saturday when gunfire rang out.
Childs was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her friend was not injured.
What prompted the gunfire remains unclear, as officials have not released a possible motive in the case. Reports last week said investigators did not believe she was the intended target of the shooting.
Lawrence is also charged with two counts of felony firearm and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. His next court date is scheduled for Nov. 16. If convicted on the open murder charge, he could spend up to life in prison.
Lawrence has prior felony convictions in 2010 for two counts of armed robbery and in 2017 for receiving and concealing stolen property, according to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.
It is not yet clear whether Tanzil has been charged in the case. Detectives are actively working on the case to determine and identify whether there are additional suspects responsible for Childs' murder.
Officials are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information about the shooting to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $2,000.
As always, all Crime Stoppers tipsters will remain anonymous.
