In the cold of a Detroit afternoon on January 23, 2018, the life of 19-year-old Sean Watts was tragically cut short. The young man, a male resident of Detroit, Michigan, was found callously discarded on the side of the road near Chalfonte and the southbound Southfield Freeway Service Drive, just south of Fenkell. It was approximately 4:30 p.m. when witnesses saw a gold vehicle, possibly a Chevrolet Monte Carlo, slow down just long enough for an occupant to push Watts's body out onto the
pavement before speeding away.
First responders arrived at the grim scene to find that Watts had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his head, eye, and neck. Medics rushed him to Sinai-Grace Hospital in a desperate attempt to save his life, but his injuries were too severe. Sean Watts was pronounced dead upon arrival, leaving a family to grapple with the sudden and violent loss of a young man on the cusp of his future. The brazen nature of the crime, with the victim being dumped in broad daylight, sent a shockwave of concern through the local community.
The investigation into the murder of Sean Watts led authorities to a suspect, 21-year-old Latrell Sands. Evidence gathered by detectives pointed to Sands's involvement in the shooting and the subsequent abandonment of the victim. Following his arrest, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office brought serious charges against him, including felony murder. This charge indicated that the prosecution believed Watts was killed during the commission of another serious crime.
Latrell Sands was arraigned in the 34th District Court in Romulus, where the gravity of the allegations against him was laid bare. Given the violent nature of the offense, the judge denied him bond, ensuring he would remain in custody as the legal proceedings unfolded. Sands was scheduled for a probable cause conference on April 25 and a preliminary exam on May 2 before Judge Kenneth King, marking the initial steps in a long journey toward seeking justice for Sean Watts and his grieving family.
