On a tragic Wednesday evening, November 1, 2017, James Haller, Jr., a 75-year-old Vietnam veteran, was fatally shot during an armed robbery at the O'Reilly Auto Parts store on Schaefer Highway in Detroit where he worked as a manager. A retired General Motors employee and a former Detroit police reserve officer, Haller was a beloved husband and father who continued to work to stay active and contribute to his community.
The incident unfolded when two women entered the auto parts store with the intention of robbing it. As the robbery was in progress, Haller emerged from a back room to investigate the commotion. It was then that one of the suspects tragically shot him in the head. The women fled the scene with a small amount of cash, leaving behind a community in shock and a family devastated by the senseless act of violence.
The investigation into Haller's murder led Detroit police to identify two female suspects, Shawnta Anderson and Eboni McEwen-Ross. Anderson, identified as the shooter, was taken into custody shortly after the incident. McEwen-Ross was also apprehended. A man named Leviticus Butler was later charged with being an accessory after the fact for his role in assisting the suspects. The swift actions of law enforcement brought a sense of relief to a grieving community, though the pain of Haller’s loss remained palpable.
In the end, justice was served, though it could never replace the life that was taken. Shawnta Anderson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison, with an additional two years for a felony firearms conviction. Eboni McEwen-Ross also pleaded guilty to lesser charges and received a sentence of 21 to 50 years in prison. As part of her plea, McEwen-Ross agreed to testify against any other potential defendants. Leviticus Butler received probation for his involvement. Throughout the legal proceedings, James Haller, Jr.'s family expressed their profound grief and anger over the loss of a man who had honorably served his country and was cherished by his loved ones.
