On a summer evening in New Baltimore, Michigan, an act of kindness tragically culminated in the death of 27-year-old Louis Stafford. The male victim, a manager at a local Taco Bell, was fatally shot on Saturday, July 29, 2023, following a dispute with a homeless coworker he had been helping.
Stafford had offered his apartment as a temporary residence to his 24-year-old employee, Dejon Drake, after noticing he was coming to work with wet clothes and learning he had nowhere to live.
This arrangement, however, soured after Drake's behavior reportedly became combative with other employees and with Stafford himself.
The situation escalated when Stafford informed Drake that he could no longer stay at his apartment. An altercation ensued, during which Drake allegedly pushed Stafford. According to Stafford's mother, her son fought back, and in the ensuing struggle, Drake produced a firearm and shot Stafford. Despite efforts to save him, Stafford succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital.
Responding to the incident, police arrested Dejon Drake at the scene. He was subsequently arraigned in a New Baltimore court and charged with Second Degree Murder, Felony Firearm, and Carrying a Concealed Weapon. Drake was remanded to the Macomb County Jail with his bond set at $2 million. As a condition of any potential release, he would be required to wear a GPS tether and undergo a mental health evaluation.
