Detroit, MI

Loved ones livid after probation deal for killer of Detroit police sergeant: 'Like a punch to the gut'

Published

2 years ago

May 10, 2024

Loved ones livid after probation deal for killer of Detroit police sergeant: 'Like a punch to the gut'

Friend of Detroit police sergeant killed by boyfriend revolted at probation plea deal

The decision was seismic for the loved ones of Sgt. Elaine Williams, who have been waiting and hoping for justice ever since 2019.

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (FOX 2) – Loved ones of a Detroit Police Department sergeant killed by her domestic partner in 2019, are livid with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.

A plea reduction deal reduced her killer’s sentence to three years of probation. The decision was seismic for the loved ones of Sgt. Elaine Willaims, who have been waiting and hoping for justice ever since 2019.

“It has not been easy,” said Bodashia Grimm, a family friend.

Sgt Williams was a member of the Detroit Police Department for 14 years.

In June of 2019, the mother of two was shot and killed by her domestic partner, Eddie Ray Jr. Johnson.

“He was released from jail around COVID and he’s been out since then,” Grimm said.

But on Friday, the family and friends of Williams received another blow.

Johnson’s plea reduction came with a sentence agreement of three years probation. It comes after Johnson entered a plea of no contest to manslaughter.

“Now to hear about this plea deal that went from first-degree premeditated murder down to manslaughter is just a punch in the gut,” she said. “It’s gut-wrenching.”

Sgt Williams and Johnson had been out on the evening of June 2nd. And both had been drinking, but when they returned to their Garden City home they had an argument.

Man who killed Detroit police sergeant girlfriend gets probation after self-defense claim

Johnson was seen leaving the house with a gunshot wound. But when police entered the home Williams was dead.

The gun involved in the incident had been issued to Williams during her employment with DPD. He claimed the incident was self-defense.

“To me this opens up the door for other murders in the community that Kim Worthy will offer deals to,” Grimm said.

In a statement, Wayne County Prosecutor Kim Worthy said in part:

“In this case, where both parties were shot with the same gun, the order of events is open to multiple interpretations,” she said. “Considering our burden of proof, we believe this is an appropriate resolution. The decision to offer this plea to this defendant was not what we wanted to do, but it was the just thing to do,”

Grimm isn’t buying it.

“How could there be any confusion if you don’t have enough evidence?” she said. “Elaine is no longer here. Her children no longer have a mother.”

Detroit Police Chief James White also offered a statement which reads in part:

“This plea deal is not the outcome that the DPD wanted for Sgt. Williams’ loved ones, but we understand the unique circumstances of this case and therefore accept the prosecutor’s decision.”

Those who support Williams say they’re now focused on supporting her kids and encouraging them to not lose faith in the justice system.

“I would like Kim Worthy to step down as a prosecutor,” said Grimm. “Wayne County can do better. She make deals with the devil.”

Top left: Eddie Ray Jr. Johnson, below DPD Sgt. Elaine Williams, Williams with her children at right.

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Detroit, MI

Handgun, credit cards stolen from truck on Detroit’s west side, police say

Published

2 hours ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

Handgun, credit cards stolen from truck on Detroit’s west side, police say

Nick Lentz

March 7, 2026 / 5:53 PM EST
/ CBS Detroit

Police in Detroit are asking for the public’s help after they say an individual stole a handgun and credit cards from a truck on the city’s west side last month.

According to investigators, the suspect, identified as a male of undisclosed age, broke into a GMC Sierra between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. on the 1400 block of Holden Street on Feb. 15. He stole the gun and a black bag, which contained medications, eyeglasses and the credit cards, officials said.

Police in Detroit are looking for a male suspected of breaking into a truck on Holden Street and stealing items from it on Feb. 15, 2026.

Detroit Police Department

Police said the male then left the scene in a white Chevrolet Tahoe.

Anyone who recognizes the male, the Chevrolet or has any information about the incident is asked to call the agency’s 3rd Precinct at 313-596-1340 or Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 1-800-773-2587, or submit a tip here.

This is a developing story.

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Detroit, MI

Detroit Mercy basketball two wins away from NCAA tournament bid

Published

14 hours ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

Detroit Mercy basketball two wins away from NCAA tournament bid

UDM is two wins away from its first NCAA tournament berth since 2012.

Calling what Detroit Mercy basketball has done this season a resurgence may be an undersell.

UDM (16-14, 12-8 Horizon), the No. 3-seed in the Horizon League Tournament, is playing No. 2 Robert Morris (22-10, 13-7) in the conference semifinals at Corteva Coliseum in Indianapolis on Monday, March 9. The game is scheduled to tip off at 9:30 p.m. ET and will be televised on ESPN2.

For a team that went 8-24 in the 2024-25 season, and a program-worst 1-31 in 2023-24, that the Titans are just two wins away from an NCAA Tournament appearance represents nothing short of a rebirth. That possibility looked distant even on Jan. 24, when a 95-87 loss to rival Oakland brought the Titans to 8-12 overall.

Watch Horizon League tournament on Fubo

But UDM responded by winning seven of its last nine regular-season games, including a 95-89 win against Oakland at the O’Rena to secure the team’s first 16-win season since 2016.

“We all found out who we were as players and as people. So now we know what positions to put the right people in at the right time,” said Titans senior point guard Orlando Lovejoy of the team’s late-season surge. “Once we figured that out, it was game on.”

The Detroit native Lovejoy has put up exceptional numbers in his senior season with the Titans, putting up a career-high 33 points in a 74-70 win over Green Bay on Feb. 22 and 29 points on 13-for-16 shooting against Oakland in the regular-season finale.

“He scores in phases. He can score on the fast break, he can post up, he can get to his spots,” said UDM coach Mark Montgomery. “He also brings the, ‘Gimme the ball in the biggest moments, and I’ll take over.’”

Lovejoy might have to take over more than usual against a tough Robert Morris team. The Colonials are the defending Horizon League champions and have beaten the Titans twice this year, with an 85-77 win in Detroit on March 2 and a 73-62 win at home on Feb. 25.

“We turned the ball over in key moments in those games, and then we have to keep them off the offensive glass,” said Montgomery of the Colonials. “We’re gonna get down to Indy, we’re going to enjoy a day, and then we’re going to lock in and know it’s one-and-done time.”

As for Lovejoy, who only gets four tickets to give to friends and family for the upcoming game, he expects to have a big travelling crowd to support him and the local team.

“I don’t know who I’m not bringing to Indianapolis,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of people coming to support as they did ever since I started playing basketball.”

Detroit Mercy basketball time vs Robert Morris in Horizon League semifinal

Date: Monday, March 9.
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET.
Location: Corteva Coliseum, Indianapolis.

UDM is looking for its fourth conference tournament win and first since 2012.

Detroit Mercy basketball channel vs Robert Morris in Horizon League semifinal

Tipoff: 9:30 p.m. ET.
Channel: ESPN2.
Streaming: Fubo.

Monday’s Horizon League semifinal game featuring UDM and Robert Morris will be televised on ESPN2 and can be streamed on Fubo, which carries ESPN channels.

Watch Detroit Mercy-Robert Morris on Fubo

Horizon League tournament results

Play-in: No. 11 Cleveland State 101, No. 10 IU Indianapolis 93.
First round: No. 5 Green Bay 64, No. 6 Purdue.
First round: No. 1 Wright State 90, No. 10 Cleveland State 61.
First round: No. 2 Robert Morris 68, Youngstown State 53.
First round: No. 3 UDM 84, No. 8 Milwaukee 63.
First round: No. 7 Northern Kentucky 85, No. 4 Oakland 84.
Sunday, March 8, Second round: No. 5 Green Bay vs No. 7 Northern Kentucky, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+).
Monday, March 9, Semifinal: No. 1 Wright State vs TBD, 7 p.m. ET (ESPNU).
Monday, March 9, Semifinal: No. 2 Robert Morris vs No. 3 UDM, 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2).
Tuesday, March 10, Final: TBD vs TBD, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN).

Detroit Mercy NCAA tournament history

UDM hasn’t made the NCAA tournament since the 2011-12 season and has only made the tournament six times in program history..

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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.

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Detroit, MI

Multiple tornadoes reported in Southwest Michigan amid severe weather

Published

1 day ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

Multiple tornadoes reported in Southwest Michigan amid severe weather

Updated on: March 6, 2026 / 7:42 PM EST
/ CBS Detroit

At least two tornadoes were reported in Southwest Michigan on Friday amid severe weather, according to CBS Detroit’s Chief Meteorologist Ahmad Bajjey.

Two of the tornadoes were reported in Union City and Three Rivers, while a possible third tornado may have been in St. Joseph County. Bajjey says the tornadoes caused significant damage. According to Consumers Energy, more than 3,200 customers are without power as of 7:40 p.m. on Friday.

Official reports of fatalities or injuries are unknown, but CBS-affiliate WWMT in Kalamazoo reports that the Branch County medical examiner is on scene in Union City.

The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division says Gov. Gretchen Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center in response to the storms in Branch, Cass and St. Joseph counties. The department says the center will be supporting local requests for assistance.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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