Executive Summary
- Brocc Pedro Straughter charged with first-degree murder in the death of Rondell Russell Harris.
- Victim found on New Year’s Eve with a gunshot wound to the head in Inkster, Michigan.
- Police responded to an emergency call where a witness was heard screaming, “They killed him.”
- Suspect arrested on January 6 after fleeing the scene and evading police.
An Inkster, Michigan, man has been formally charged with first-degree premeditated murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a 34-year-old man on New Year’s Eve, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. Brocc Pedro Straughter, 34, was taken into custody on January 6 following a police investigation into the death of Rondell Russell Harris.
Law enforcement officials state that officers responded to a residence in the 500 block of Longfellow after dispatchers received a call involving an open line. On the call, a person could reportedly be heard screaming, “They killed him,” in reference to Harris. Upon arrival, police discovered the victim on a bed, suffering from a fatal gunshot wound to the side of the head.
According to Inkster police, Straughter fled the scene immediately after the shooting. Reports indicate he jumped a fence near Cherry Hill and ran toward Middle Belt Road. A manhunt ensued, leading to his eventual arrest nearly a week later.
Procedural Next Steps
As this capital case moves to the judicial phase, prosecutors will be tasked with presenting evidence to support the allegation of premeditation required for a first-degree murder conviction, which carries the severest penalties under Michigan law. The investigation, coordinated by Inkster police and Wayne County prosecutors, has now transitioned into the pretrial stage. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
