LANSING – The day after a young man was shot to death on Detroit's west side, State Representative Gabe Leland (D-Detroit) called on state Senate leaders to act on a bipartisan plan to crack down on the individuals who endanger our residents by committing such reckless crimes.
"Any time someone fires a gun – and it's usually an automatic weapon – from a moving vehicle, that puts all the residents in a neighborhood in danger," Leland said. "Too often, children and others are caught in the crossfire. People have a right to feel safe in their homes and on the street, and we all need to work together to make that happen. This plan will put violent criminals behind bars for a longer time and send a message that will make troublemakers think twice before bringing guns and crime into our neighborhoods. The Senate needs to act now and take this important step toward making our communities safer for everyone."
Neighbors said the 19-year-old student killed Monday in Detroit was in a Chevrolet Cavalier with another man when a Ford Focus pulled up with four people inside and someone inside the car starting shooting at the victim. The young man ran out of the car to try to get to safety but was shot at least once and collapsed in a neighbor's yard. That man's house was hit by multiple bullets.
The House plan would more than double the penalty for any person who intentionally fires a weapon from a vehicle. The House passed the plan on a vote of 109-1 on March 15, 2007, and it has languished in the Senate since then. Currently, such an offense is punishable by no more than four years in prison and a $2,000 fine. The plan increases the penalty to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. If the crime results in serious bodily harm to another person, the penalty increases to 15 years and $15,000.
The latest shooting victim is among the growing list of citizens who will not benefit from the justice that the House plan would deliver. Last month, Davario Barrera was found guilty in the drive-by shooting of 14-month-old Stacy Evans Jr. that took place last March in Buena Vista Township. In January, a 15-year-old girl was killed in a drive-by shooting in northwest Detroit.
"Our children are dying and our families are living in fear of random shootings, and that is unacceptable," said State Representative Brenda Clack (D-Flint), who sponsored the plan. "The senseless deaths must stop. I ask our state leaders in the Senate to honor all the residents of all our communities and act now to pass this plan."