Roy Swinea Jr., a 60-year-old man, was fatally shot on August 18, 2025, in Taylor, Michigan. The incident that led to his death began when police were dispatched to a residence in the 9500 block of Cass Avenue around 4:38 p.m. for a reported assault. While on their way, officers received information that two men had arrived at the home and a shooting had occurred.
Upon their arrival, police found Roy Swinea and his sister lying in the grass in front of the house, both suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Medical responders transported both siblings to a local hospital for treatment. Later that same day, Roy Swinea succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. His sister was wounded in the shooting but survived. The events reportedly began with a physical assault on a 66-year-old woman, the girlfriend of the suspect.
The suspect in the shooting was identified as the victim's 68-year-old brother, Walter Ray Swinea. It is alleged that a verbal altercation between Walter Swinea and his siblings escalated, at which point he produced a handgun and fired it multiple times, striking both his brother and sister. Following the incident, Walter Ray Swinea was arrested and charged with Second-Degree Murder, Assault with Intent to Murder, Domestic Violence, Assault and Battery, and two counts of Felony Firearm. He was arraigned in 23rd District Court and remanded to jail. A Probable Cause Conference was scheduled for September 3, 2025, with a Preliminary Examination set for September 8, 2025.
