On December 27, 2021, a heated argument between a father and son in White Cloud, Michigan, ended in a fatal shooting. Joshua Dakan, a 38-year-old male, was shot and killed by his own father, 69-year-old Darrel Dean Dakan. The dispute reportedly began outside a camper trailer on a property off East Pierce Drive. A witness to the event told police that during the argument, Joshua was heard saying, 'just shoot me.'
Following the verbal altercation, Darrel Dakan went into the trailer and
returned with a rifle. His first attempt to fire the weapon was either a misfire or the gun was not loaded. However, a second shot was fired, and the bullet struck Joshua in the back, piercing his lung and heart. First responders attempted to provide first aid, but Joshua succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Investigations later revealed that police had been called to the residence for a domestic dispute between the father and son just the day before the fatal incident, and there was a history of arguments between them.
Darrel Dakan was arrested and charged with open murder and a weapons charge. Prosecutors noted that Darrel struggled with substance abuse, which they believed contributed to his anger issues. During legal proceedings, his public defender requested bond, citing medical reasons, but the request was denied due to the serious nature of the crime.
After a week-long jury trial, on December 2, 2022, Darrel Dakan was found guilty of second-degree murder and a felony firearm charge. The conviction for second-degree murder carries a potential sentence of life in prison or any term of years, while the felony firearm charge adds a consecutive two-year sentence. His sentencing was scheduled for January 31, 2023.
