It was a brutal crime, and for months police had nothing to go on, but now the case is closed for the Detroit Police Department.
The victim was shot and set on fire, and there were few clues to catching his killer, but now police have a suspect in custody, after receiving help from a concerned citizen.
We first brought this case back to light last Wednesday, when police reached out to us and said they were looking for 25-year-old Antowan Stitts. They said he is a cold blooded killer, and he could be walking the streets of Detroit armed and dangerous.
Click on the video player to watch the report from Wednesday, March 6, when DPD first re-opened the case and named Stitts as a suspect.
That was on March 6. The next day, a citizen contacted the homicide unit and provided information.
By March 8, Stitts walked into a DPD precinct and turned himself him. He was arraigned Saturday on a felony charge of first-degree murder, then remanded to the Wayne County Jail.
Police weren't not pointing to him because of his past criminal history. They are referring to the sheer evil they say he is responsible for right now.
It was September 12, 2011. Detroit firefighters jumped on a call of smoke and flames inside a vacant garage. The structure sits on Collingham and Barlow on the city's northeast side. Once the blaze was battled, what they discovered was gruesome and disturbing -- the burned body of a young black man in his twenties. His cause of death was a homicide.
Detectives were on the hunt for a murderer, but they had no leads. No citizens called in tips. Initially there was no clear evidence at all, but investigators refused to give up and let this case go cold. They worked it meticulously, digging up clues and uncovering the evidence that was desperately needed. Almost a year and a half later, Detroit police say they now have in custody the person they believe responsible for the brutality on Barlow Street -- Antowan Stitts.
His next court date has been scheduled for March 20 at 1:30p.m.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:02 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:02:09 GMT
Detroit police believe a man in a surveillance photo is responsible for a kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and armed robbery on the city's east side.
Detroit police believe a man in a surveillance photo is responsible for a kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and armed robbery on the city's east side.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:30 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:30:30 GMT
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
The incident forcing the partial evacuation of Detroit Metropolitan Airport for hours one day last month was triggered by law enforcement officials' belief that they'd found an improvised explosive device in luggage.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:28 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:28:22 GMT
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:21:55 GMT
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
The mountains of petroleum coke along Detroit's riverfront continue to grow. Now lawmakers are saying the stuff has to go as the story gets national attention.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:53 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:53:47 GMT
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Anna Bailey was walking back from the gas station Thursday morning when she found 16-year-old Emonte Davis lying in the middle of the sidewalk on Sharon Street. He had been shot in the chest, and she tried to help.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:39 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:39:46 GMT
Army Specialist Jenna Beno bravely fought for our country. Sadly, she died after an attack in Iraq. Thursday, the young soldier was honored during an emotional ceremony in Clarkston.
Army Specialist Jenna Beno bravely fought for our country. Sadly, she died after an attack in Iraq. Thursday, the young soldier was honored during an emotional ceremony in Clarkston.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:38:56 GMT
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.
