In the early hours of February 28, 2019, a dispute between two armed teenagers in Dearborn Heights, Michigan, ended in the tragic death of 17-year-old James Newman of Inkster. The confrontation occurred around 1:30 a.m. outside a home on Lehigh Street, near Beech Daly Road and Annapolis Street.
During the altercation, both James Newman and 16-year-old Daylon Wooten of Dearborn Heights were in possession of handguns. The argument escalated, leading to Wooten allegedly shooting Newman.
Following the shooting, two men transported Newman to a local hospital, but he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Wooten also sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident and was taken to the hospital.
Authorities later arrested Daylon Wooten in connection with Newman's death. The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office charged Wooten as an adult-designated juvenile with second-degree murder, possession of a stolen firearm, carrying a concealed weapon, and felony firearm. The charge for possession of a stolen firearm stemmed from the allegation that the gun Wooten had was stolen.
Following the charges, Wooten was remanded to the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility. As an adult-designated juvenile, a judge would have the discretion to sentence him as a juvenile or an adult if convicted. His preliminary hearing was scheduled for March 14, 2019, at the Lincoln Hall of Justice.
