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.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:29 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:29:11 GMT
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
Friday, June 14 2013 11:32 PM EDT2013-06-15 03:32:46 GMT
Kevyn Orr's numbers show increased wait times in some DPD precincts, but Detroit's emergency manager is talking about pumping money into public safety and not continuing the path of stripping them down to the bone.
Kevyn Orr's numbers show increased wait times in some DPD precincts, but Detroit's emergency manager is talking about pumping money into public safety and not continuing the path of stripping them down to the bone.
Thursday, June 13 2013 11:43 PM EDT2013-06-14 03:43:47 GMT
Police try to make a traffic stop, but say two men in the vehicle made a run for it. The driver was caught, but his passenger remains on the loose. During a search, police say they recovered a gun and body armor.
Police try to make a traffic stop, but say two men in the vehicle made a run for it. The driver was caught, but his passenger remains on the loose. During a search, police say they recovered a gun and body armor.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:39 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:39:53 GMT
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:33 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:33:24 GMT
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults...
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults, as the clock ticked before lawmakers break for the summer.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:21:00 GMT
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:03 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:03:28 GMT
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:00 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:00:10 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:41 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:41:47 GMT
FBI agents grabbed shovels and combed through dirt and mud in the search for Jimmy Hoffa's remains or clues to the disappearance of the former Teamsters boss. Once again, the search was futile.
For at least the third time in a decade, FBI agents grabbed shovels and combed through dirt and mud in the search for Jimmy Hoffa's remains or clues to the disappearance of the former Teamsters boss. Once again, the search was futile.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:32 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:32:27 GMT
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley has signed a bill giving local governments in Michigan power to restrict the use of fireworks on the day before, during and after a national holiday.
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley has signed a bill giving local governments in Michigan power to restrict the use of fireworks on the day before, during and after a national holiday.
