Desiree Childs, a 16-year-old Black girl from Pontiac, Michigan, was a beloved daughter who her mother said lit up every room with her smile. Her father, Rommell Childs, called her his "daddy's girl" and remembered their "Daddy Wednesdays" when he would cook for his children. Just one month after her birthday, her family was left to grieve a life they felt was just beginning.
Her father said, "She didn’t get a chance to grow, she was just getting started."
On the night of October 28, 2023, Desiree was walking home with a friend near the intersection of South Johnson Street and Menominee Road, only a couple of blocks from her house. Around 11:20 p.m., several gunshots rang out. Desiree was struck in the chest and leg. Her friend was not physically harmed. When authorities arrived, they found Desiree unresponsive in the street. She was rushed to a local hospital, but she died from her injuries.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office immediately began an investigation into what Sheriff Michael Bouchard called a "tragic and senseless loss of life." Detectives and Desiree's family believed she was not the intended target. Investigators theorized she was either the victim of mistaken identity or was tragically caught in the crossfire of a conflict that did not involve her. Her mother, Nicole, pleaded for an end to the gun violence that had taken her daughter.
The investigation led detectives to a local motel where they believed a suspect was staying. After setting up surveillance, authorities arrested 32-year-old K’Nique Djon Lawrence of Pontiac on November 3, 2023. Lawrence was taken into custody without incident. Investigators also identified another man, 27-year-old Jameel Tanzil, as a person of interest who was believed to be involved, though he was not charged in connection with Desiree's death.
Lawrence, who had prior felony convictions for armed robbery and receiving stolen property, was charged with open murder, firearm possession by a felon, and two counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He was arraigned in the 50th District Court and held without bond.
In February 2024, after a preliminary examination, Judge Jeremy Bowie of the 50th District Court found there was probable cause to move forward with the case. He bound the charges against K'Nique Lawrence over to Oakland County Circuit Court for trial. Subsequently, Lawrence opted out of a trial and entered a guilty plea in circuit court.
