In the summer of 2023, a senseless act of violence cut short the life of Jose Manuel De Jesus Flores, a 22-year-old man in Lansing, Michigan. On the evening of July 30th, Flores was walking on the 700 block of East Kalamazoo Street when he was fatally shot. The incident was later described by a judge as a 'shooting for sport,' a chilling characterization of the randomness and brutality of the crime. Flores, a father of two who did not speak English, was simply minding his own business when his life was tragically taken.
The investigation into the shooting led police on a high-speed, 25-minute chase involving the suspects. This dangerous pursuit put numerous innocent people at risk before law enforcement was able to apprehend the individuals responsible. The suspects were identified as 16-year-old Aiden Wilson and 18-year-old Bradli Stoutmiles. Despite his age, prosecutors made the decision to charge Wilson as an adult due to the severity of the crime and his prior involvement with the juvenile court system.
Both Wilson and Stoutmiles faced a litany of serious charges, including open murder, assault with intent to murder, receiving and concealing a stolen vehicle, third-degree fleeing and eluding, and nine weapons counts. Following a trial in November 2024, both were convicted of first-degree murder along with several other crimes.
During sentencing, the court handed down lengthy prison terms for both young men. Aiden Wilson, the trigger man in the shooting, was sentenced to 35 to 70 years in prison. Due to consecutive sentencing on some of the charges, he will be required to serve a minimum of 37 years. Bradli Stoutmiles, who was driving the vehicle, received a sentence of 27 to 60 years in prison for his role in the murder.
