In the winter of 2022, a dispute that began inside a liquor store on Detroit's west side tragically escalated, resulting in the death of 57-year-old James Deberry. On the morning of February 1st, an argument broke out between Deberry and another man, identified as 44-year-old John Edward-Dayter Montgomery. The verbal altercation prompted a store employee to ask both men to leave the premises.
Once outside in the parking lot, the conflict turned violent.
Montgomery allegedly attacked Deberry with a metal bar. In response, Deberry reportedly armed himself with a crowbar and struck Montgomery in the head multiple times. The confrontation reached a fatal climax when Montgomery allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired, striking both Deberry and an innocent bystander, 60-year-old Raymondo Bankhead.
Emergency services were dispatched to the scene on Wyoming Street. Deberry was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Raymondo Bankhead was pronounced dead at the scene. He had no involvement in the initial altercation.
Following the incident, John Edward-Dayter Montgomery was arrested and faced serious charges. The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office charged him with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of felony firearm. Montgomery was arraigned in the 36th District Court, with a probable cause conference and a preliminary examination scheduled for later that month and the beginning of March.
