On July 3, 2017, Michael W. Christensen, a 30-year-old Canton Township resident, was tragically shot and killed in his home. The incident occurred when two men, Brandon Burt and Alize Stokes, forced their way into Christensen's residence at 202 49th St. SW, allegedly intending to rob him of drugs and money. A confrontation ensued, leading to Christensen's death.
Christensen's girlfriend, who was present during the incident, reported to the 911 dispatcher that the two men claimed to know
her, although she did not recognize them. She attempted to ask them to leave, but they entered the house and shot Christensen. The Stark County Sheriff’s Office arrested Brandon Burt, 24, on charges of aggravated murder, and Alize Stokes, 21, on charges of complicity to aggravated murder.
The investigation revealed that it was unclear whether Burt and Stokes took any drugs or money from Christensen's home. Sheriff George T. Maier stated that he did not expect any additional arrests in connection with the case. The Stark County Sheriff’s Office urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward and contact them.
The murder trial of Brandon Burt began later, with Burt facing charges of murder and other related offenses. The case drew significant attention in the Canton community, highlighting the tragic loss of a young man and the impact of violent crime on families and neighborhoods.
