In the late summer of 2024, the community of Muskegon, Michigan, was shaken by the sudden and tragic death of Carlos Lafawn Piggee, a 48-year-old Black/African American man. On the evening of August 31st, what was meant to be a joyous celebration, a cousin's retirement party near the intersection of Beidler and Forest, turned into a scene of violence. A dispute, reportedly stemming from workplace issues, erupted between Piggee and another man. The argument escalated, culminating in Piggee being fatally shot in the head. His wife of 30 years, Latina, was present at the gathering and witnessed the horrific event that took the life of her husband, a man she described as a loving father, grandfather, son, and husband.
In the aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement identified 38-year-old Deangelo Omar Bolden-Sims as the suspect. For nearly a month, police, with the assistance of federal authorities, searched for Bolden-Sims, who was believed to have fled the area. The search concluded on September 25, 2024, when Bolden-Sims surrendered to authorities at the Muskegon County Courthouse. He was subsequently arrested and formally charged with open murder in connection with Piggee's death. His family expressed hope that this step would begin their journey toward finding a measure of peace.
The case then moved to the judicial system. During his arraignment, Bolden-Sims was initially granted a bond of $300,000. This amount was later a point of contention, with the Muskegon County prosecutor expressing surprise, noting that a bond under one million dollars is uncommon for such a serious charge. The bond was subsequently increased to $500,000. As of the fall of 2024, the legal proceedings were underway, with Bolden-Sims set to stand trial for the murder of Carlos Piggee, a man remembered not only by his family but also as a dedicated community leader and Plant Manager at Clarios who was deeply involved in mentoring youth across Michigan.
