It was a brutal crime, and for months police had nothing to go on, but now the case is closed for the Detroit Police Department.
The victim was shot and set on fire, and there were few clues to catching his killer, but now police have a suspect in custody, after receiving help from a concerned citizen.
We first brought this case back to light last Wednesday, when police reached out to us and said they were looking for 25-year-old Antowan Stitts. They said he is a cold blooded killer, and he could be walking the streets of Detroit armed and dangerous.
Click on the video player to watch the report from Wednesday, March 6, when DPD first re-opened the case and named Stitts as a suspect.
That was on March 6. The next day, a citizen contacted the homicide unit and provided information.
By March 8, Stitts walked into a DPD precinct and turned himself him. He was arraigned Saturday on a felony charge of first-degree murder, then remanded to the Wayne County Jail.
Police weren't not pointing to him because of his past criminal history. They are referring to the sheer evil they say he is responsible for right now.
It was September 12, 2011. Detroit firefighters jumped on a call of smoke and flames inside a vacant garage. The structure sits on Collingham and Barlow on the city's northeast side. Once the blaze was battled, what they discovered was gruesome and disturbing -- the burned body of a young black man in his twenties. His cause of death was a homicide.
Detectives were on the hunt for a murderer, but they had no leads. No citizens called in tips. Initially there was no clear evidence at all, but investigators refused to give up and let this case go cold. They worked it meticulously, digging up clues and uncovering the evidence that was desperately needed. Almost a year and a half later, Detroit police say they now have in custody the person they believe responsible for the brutality on Barlow Street -- Antowan Stitts.
His next court date has been scheduled for March 20 at 1:30p.m.
Thursday, May 16 2013 8:23 PM EDT2013-05-17 00:23:43 GMT
54-year-old Almeter Walls was set to have a transplant surgery on Thursday, but instead she is dead. We're told she was shot when a neighborhood argument ended in gunfire. The shooting also left four others wounded.
54-year-old Almeter Walls was set to have a transplant surgery on Thursday, but instead she is dead. We're told she was shot when a neighborhood argument ended in gunfire. The shooting also left four others wounded.
Monday, May 13 2013 11:33 PM EDT2013-05-14 03:33:57 GMT
Latoiya Mitchell-Thomas has been found not guilty of attempted murder and assault in the Detroit Princess shooting last August. She was convicted of a concealed weapons charge.
Latoiya Mitchell-Thomas has been found not guilty of attempted murder and assault in the Detroit Princess shooting last August. She was convicted of a concealed weapons charge.
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.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:28 PM EDT2013-05-21 00:28:46 GMT
As Bobby Ferguson faces a retrial on bid-rigging charges, he may have to represent himself. He refuses to fill out an application needed to determine if he qualifies for a court appointed lawyer.
As Bobby Ferguson faces a retrial on bid-rigging charges, he may have to represent himself. He refuses to fill out an application needed to determine if he qualifies for a court appointed lawyer.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:51 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:51:26 GMT
A church community in Canton is reeling over the death of a young man. He was just married on Saturday and less than 24 hours later killed in a car crash on the way to the couple's honeymoon. His bride survived.
A church community in Canton is reeling over the death of a young man. He was just married on Saturday and less than 24 hours later killed in a car crash on the way to the couple's honeymoon. His bride survived.
Monday, May 20 2013 3:26 PM EDT2013-05-20 19:26:50 GMT
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:42 AM EDT2013-05-20 15:42:57 GMT
Perfect weather for a wonderful cause on Saturday in downtown Detroit and some Fox 2 viewers shared a few photos with us to help capture the day. Take a look and add your photos.
Perfect weather for a wonderful cause on Saturday in downtown Detroit and some Fox 2 viewers shared a few photos with us to help capture the day. Take a look and add your photos.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:24 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:24:48 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
