Wednesday, June 6 2012 8:18 PM EDT2012-06-07 00:18:26 GMT
A grieving father is speaking out not even two weeks after his son died from smoking Spice. He says the time is now for state lawmakers to take action.
A grieving father is speaking out not even two weeks after his son died from smoking Spice. He says the time is now for state lawmakers to take action, and he is urging you to get involved before this happens to another family.
Tuesday, June 5 2012 11:16 PM EDT2012-06-06 03:16:05 GMT
It's not just adults that want dangerous synthetic drugs gone for good. We spoke to a teen who also wants K2 banned.
It's not just adults that want dangerous synthetic drugs gone for good. We spoke to a teen who also wants K2 banned. This girl is a former classmate of Mitchell Young, one of the men accused in the deadly attack on a local family while he was allegedly high on K2.
Tuesday, June 5 2012 5:45 PM EDT2012-06-05 21:45:32 GMT
K2 Kops are now out in full force in Macomb County. Stores were put on alert Monday, warned if they sell the drug, they'll face consequences. Fox 2 followed Executive Mark Hackel during Tuesday's crackdown.
K2 Kops are now out in full force in Macomb County. Stores were put on alert Monday, warned if they sell the drug, they'll face consequences. Fox 2 followed Executive Mark Hackel during Tuesday's crackdown.
Tuesday, June 5 2012 5:44 PM EDT2012-06-05 21:44:12 GMT
The Wayne County Sheriff has established an anonymous 24-hour tip line where people can report stores in the county selling synthetic marijuana, otherwise known as K2 or Spice.
The Wayne County Sheriff has established an anonymous 24-hour tip line where people can report stores in the county selling synthetic marijuana, otherwise known as K2 or Spice.
Tuesday, June 5 2012 1:32 PM EDT2012-06-05 17:32:52 GMT
Port Huron is joining a growing list of Michigan communities working to ban the sale of so-called designer drugs. In a statement released on Tuesday, the Port Huron Police Department says it is "requesting
Port Huron is joining a growing list of Michigan communities working to ban the sale of so-called designer drugs. In a statement released on Tuesday, the Port Huron Police Department says it is "requesting
Monday, June 4 2012 11:18 PM EDT2012-06-05 03:18:49 GMT
K2 meets its match in Macomb County. The county is stepping up banning the sale of all versions of these synthetic drugs.
K2 meets its match in Macomb County. The county is stepping up banning the sale of all versions of these synthetic drugs. Now Executive Mark hackel wants the community to join the effort by becoming K2 Kops.
Sunday, June 3 2012 11:10 PM EDT2012-06-04 03:10:17 GMT
A Farmington Hills gas station puts out a sign claiming they don't sell K2. But a concerned customer contacted Fox 2 to say while that may be true, the store is still selling other versions of the synthetic drug.
A Farmington Hills gas station puts out a sign claiming they don't sell K2. But a concerned customer contacted Fox 2 to say while that may be true, the store is still selling other versions of the synthetic drug.
FRANKLIN, Mich. (WJBK) -
"He was just a beautiful, beautiful light in our lives, and now he's gone," said Larry Smith.
The tragedy is still so fresh, but speaking out about his son's death is so important for Smith as state lawmakers consider legislation to ban designer drugs like K2 and Spice, the stuff that killed 18-year-old Oliver Satchel Smith.
"It's Russian roulette -- you can smoke spice on many occasions and it might be a good or bad experience and you might smoke it one time and die."
On Saturday, May 26, a fisherman found Smith's lifeless body on the beach at Wing Lake in Bloomfield Township. The night before, Oliver had walked there from his nearby home, sat down and smoked some Spice.
"The next thing you know you're getting a phone call from a detective, and that, no one should have to go through that."
That is why Larry Smith is speaking out in hopes of saving someone else. If state lawmakers break for summer recess next week without banning designer drugs, he's afraid many more kids will end up like Oliver.
"It won't be Oliver on the front page, but it will be another family. It will be another brother not able to sleep. It will be grieving and suffering, and so you have to prevent that in any way you can."
Some counties are banning it. Some cities are creating ordinances, but the fact remains these synthetic drugs are still legal in the State of Michigan.
Right now, it's still on some store shelves or behind the counter if you ask for it.
"These people are dealing in death. You can't sugar coat this. They're dealing in death and tragedy and they're doing it now knowingly."
However, the state laws under consideration would make selling this stuff a four year felony. Larry Smith and his attorney, Scott Weinberg, want national legislation, but for now, a state law is a good start.
"It is an emergency. It's an emergency to call your representative, call your senator," said Weinberg. "They're the only ones right now that can make it illegal."
"It's important that they act now," Smith said. "It is important that this get done today."
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:17 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:17:22 GMT
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino.
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino. 42-year-old Myron Williams is on probation in Michigan for a drug paraphernalia charge. He also has quite a past in Louisiana.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:30 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:30:05 GMT
There are new developments in the murder of a young woman in Grosse Pointe Park. Police have a person in custody in connection with the death of Sabrina Gianino, who was found strangled last week.
There are new developments in the murder of a young woman in Grosse Pointe Park. Police have a person in custody in connection with the death of Sabrina Gianino, who was found strangled last week.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:43:34 GMT
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:48 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:48:59 GMT
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:37 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:37:11 GMT
Livonia firefighters had to break the windows of a ranch home on Oporto, trying to get to the homeowner. Once inside, they found the 60-year-old woman and her three dogs in a bedroom overcome by smoke.
Livonia firefighters had to break the windows of a ranch home on Oporto, trying to get to the homeowner. Once inside, they found the 60-year-old woman and her three dogs in a bedroom overcome by smoke.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:19 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:19:38 GMT
Police say a 1-year-old boy has died after being found unresponsive in a water-filled bathtub in Flint. Police are treating the child's death Monday night as suspicious.
Police say a 1-year-old boy has died after being found unresponsive in a water-filled bathtub in Flint. Police are treating the child's death Monday night as suspicious.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:45 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:45:43 GMT
Authorities say a 72-year-old suburban Detroit woman has been arrested after firing a shot from a .38 caliber handgun at her daughter during an argument.
Authorities say a 72-year-old suburban Detroit woman has been arrested after firing a shot from a .38 caliber handgun at her daughter during an argument.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:38 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:38:56 GMT
A memorial service is this weekend for a newly married Detroit-area youth minister who was killed in a traffic accident as he and his wife were en route to their honeymoon in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
A memorial service is this weekend for a newly married Detroit-area youth minister who was killed in a traffic accident as he and his wife were en route to their honeymoon in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:28 AM EDT2013-05-22 06:28:15 GMT
More than 2,000 people were in attendance to hear Donald Trump speak at Oakland County's Lincoln Day Dinner. Before the event, he told reporters he believes Detroit is "on the right path."
More than 2,000 people were in attendance to hear Donald Trump speak at Oakland County's Lincoln Day Dinner. Before the event, he told reporters he believes Detroit is "on the right path."
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:17 AM EDT2013-05-22 06:17:02 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:02 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:02:09 GMT
Detroit police believe a man in a surveillance photo is responsible for a kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and armed robbery on the city's east side.
Detroit police believe a man in a surveillance photo is responsible for a kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and armed robbery on the city's east side.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:59 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:59:19 GMT
Some Detroiters say their neighbor is hoarding dogs. She has been accused of doing it before. In 2011, 25 dogs were removed from her home, but we're told a case was never brought.
Some Detroiters say their neighbor is hoarding dogs. She has been accused of doing it before. In 2011, 25 dogs were removed from her home, but we're told a case was never brought.
WTXF-TV 330 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19106-2796
Larry Smith wants lawmakers to take action to ban Spice. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
Oliver Satchel Smith
