Vernest James Griffin Arraigned in Shooting Spree Killings
(OCSO, Feb. 5, 2018)
Pontiac, MI- The suspect in the Feb. 1 shootings in Taylor and Pontiac has been arraigned.
SUMMARY: Deputies were dispatched to 360 W. Sheffield Ave., Aluminum Blanking Company, on a report of a subject who entered the business armed with a long gun and opened fire. The Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team was activated to respond and officers from the Auburn Hills Police Department (AHPD) and Waterford Twp. PD also responded to assist. The Sheriff’s Operations Center further advised the responsible involved matched an earlier BOL that had been broadcast by the Taylor Police Department for a subject wanted in connection of a homicide in their city approximately an hour prior.
OUTCOME OF INCIDENT: Deputies and Officers cleared all 3 buildings in the complex and determined the responsible had fled but located a victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, who was subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene via telemetry from a local hospital.
While Deputies were still on scene Officers from the Waterford Township Police Department (WTPD) were dispatched to a business in their community on a report of a subject entering the business on Lessing Rd. armed with a long gun. The business was reported to have gone into lock down and the subject fled the scene with no reported injuries and no shots fired. A WTPD police officer located and pursued the responsible during which the subject fired multiple rounds at the pursuing officer.
The pursuit ended near the intersection of Dixie Highway and Frembes, in Waterford Twp. where the responsible was involved in a traffic crash. The subject exited his vehicle armed with a long gun (AK-47) and engaged the Waterford Twp. Officers. During that exchange the subject was struck by gunfire and taken into custody. The Sheriff’s Office Forensic Laboratory was notified to respond to the Sheffield address and the scene of Waterford’s Twp. arrest at Dixie Highway and Frembes. A multi-jurisdictional investigation is underway with Waterford Twp. PD, Taylor PD and the Sheriff’s Office. The case will be prented to the Oakldn Coun ty Prosucor’s Offcie this weekend for charges.
ARRESTEE INFORMATION: 45 yr. old male resident of the City of Sterling Heights. Currently still listed in critical, but stable condition at an area hospital and he is still unconscious at this time but he is expected to recover. Detectives will attempt to interview him when he regains consciousness.
VICTIM INFORMATION: Eriberto Perez a 58 yr. old male resident of Waterford Township .
UPDATE:
Homicide – 360 W Sheffield, Pontiac MI 48340
Victim:
Eriberto Perez
58 year old Waterford resident
Arrested:
Vernest James Griffin
45 year old male
Sterling Heights resident
CCH:
Pending case in Wayne County for Weapons
Charges:
Ct 1: Homicide – Murder First Degree – Premeditated – Life Felony
Ct 2: Possession of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony – 2 year Felony
Arraignment:
On February 5, 2018, Vernest James Griffin was arraigned in front of the Honorable Judge Cynthia Walker of the Pontiac 50th District Court. Mr. Griffin’s bond was denied at this time. His next court date is pending.
Previous story: https://oaklandcounty115.com/2018/02/01/sterling-heights-man-in-custody-after-fatal-shootings-in-taylor-and-pontiac/
NOTE: Police Reports come directly from the Police Department or agency involved and are written by the person or agency listed below the title. We generally run these “as is” or with minimal editing for punctuation, spelling, etc. Suspects should not be presumed guilty. Those needing more information about a case are encouraged to follow up with the reporting agency or court system for the most current information.
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