On a Saturday in late March of 2015, the life of 21-year-old Joseph Austin McClendon of Redford, Michigan, was tragically cut short. On March 28th, he was discovered in his copper-colored Ford Explorer on the side of Henry Ruff Road in Westland, having been shot multiple times. Westland police officers responded to reports of gunshots in the area and found McClendon deceased in his vehicle.
Initially, law enforcement had no suspects in the fatal shooting.
The investigation into the young man's death soon revealed that he had made arrangements to purchase a handgun from two individuals. It was during this planned meeting that Joseph McClendon was shot and killed. Investigators were able to identify and apprehend three suspects in connection with the homicide. Two men, Arlandus Nolen II and Daveion Dix, were arrested for their direct involvement in the shooting. Additionally, Nolen's father was taken into custody on accessory charges.
The motive for the deadly encounter was determined to be a 'gun deal gone wrong.' Evidence collected at the scene included multiple 9 mm and. 40-caliber shell casings, indicating the types of weapons used in the commission of the crime. The subsequent legal proceedings saw the individuals responsible for Joseph McClendon's death held accountable for their actions.
