A dispute over family business matters tragically escalated in the parking lot of a Sterling Heights, Michigan, company, leaving 54-year-old Rita Evans dead from a gunshot wound. The incident, which unfolded on May 26, 2023, led to the arrest of her half-brother, Zachary Holston III, who was 50 years old at the time. Evans was a female.
The fatal encounter occurred outside Kath Khemicals, a soap-making company where Holston served as the CEO and Evans was the CFO. According to reports, the confrontation began as Holston was leaving the business. Evans, accompanied by her husband and daughter, approached Holston's vehicle, and a verbal argument over paperwork inside the car ensued. The argument quickly turned physical, culminating in both Holston and Evans drawing firearms. Gunfire was exchanged, and Evans was struck. She was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Holston was not injured in the shootout.
Following the incident, Zachary Holston III, a resident of Farmington Hills, was arrested. He was subsequently charged with second-degree murder and felony firearm. During his arraignment, a plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf. Holston's defense attorney argued that he had taken steps to avoid the confrontation.
However, prosecutors presented a different view of the events, stating that surveillance video of the incident contradicted claims of self-defense. They alleged that Holston escalated the situation from a verbal dispute to a violent one. According to the prosecution, the video shows Holston pushing a young woman who was attempting to intervene before drawing his weapon while Evans's gun was still in her purse. Bond for Holston was set at $500,000, with the conditions of a GPS tether and home confinement if he were to be released. The court also ordered a mental health evaluation and mandated that he have no contact with the victim's family or the business.
