MUSKEGON, Mich. -- Muskegon Police Chief Tim Kozal says a 16-year-old suspect is being charged as an adult with open murder in connection with the death of 73-year-old Thomas Lee Stewart.
A 17-year-old also was booked on a charge of possessing a firearm after being taken into custody this week. Muskegon Police said the two teenagers took off running when officers tried to conduct a traffic stop. They were caught a short time later.
Stewart died at the scene of the shooting on Jiroch Street near Irwin Avenue.
"We worked closely with the Muskegon County Prosecutor's Office from the beginning," Chief Kozal said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon. "We will continue to coordinate with them as charges move forward. Our team has been working around the clock since last Monday, utilizing all available resources to solve these heinous crimes. We remain confident that those responsible will be brought to justice."
WOOD-TV reports the county prosecutor has identified the suspect in the shooting as Kemaree Davis.
"Based on the evidence at the scene, we believe the suspect knew Mr. Stewart and was likely allowed into the home," Kozal said. "This incident appears to be related to a robbery."
He added that detectives don't believe anyone else was in Stewart's home at the time, just Stewart and the suspect. Kozal said more people may face charges as the investigation continues, but police are confident the 16-year-old is the one who pulled the trigger.
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