DETROIT (WWJ) — Two teenagers from Detroit are being charged as adults for allegedly shooting a man to death outside a liquor store in the city's New Center neighborhood.
Keonte Kemari Weddington and Elijah Sanders, both 17 years old, were arraigned Friday in Detroit's 36th District Court on charges of first-degree murder and felony firearm.
Prosecutors say the teens opened fire outside a liquor store on Woodward Avenue, a few blocks north of W. Grand Boulevard, around 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28, killing 34-year-old Jethro Kendrick, III.
While the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office has not released any details about a motive in the case, Detroit Police Commander Matthew Fulgenzi said at the time of the shooting it appeared to be a "targeted shooting."
Weddington allegedly fired a handgun, while Sanders used a rifle to gun down Kendrick as he was walking out of the store, according to the prosecutor's office. Police said at the time the suspects had pulled up in a car and went right for Kendrick.
Responding police officers found Kendrick lying on the sidewalk outside the store, unresponsive, with multiple gunshot wounds. Members of the Detroit Fire Department rendered aid and Kendrick was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Weddington and Sanders were arrested last Friday, Feb. 21. DPD officials said at the time of the shooting there were reportedly four suspects at the scene. The prosecutor's office did not mention any other suspects in the case.
Both teens were remanded to jail and are due back in court on March 23 for a probable cause conference.
