DETROIT — A Detroit man was convicted Wednesday of fatally shooting two people and wounding six others during an argument that started over a vehicle blocking his driveway.
A jury found Winston Kirtley Jr. guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, six counts of assault with intent to murder and 10 counts of using a firearm during a felony, Wayne County prosecutors said in a statement.
The shooting in which Toyake Thirkeild, 39, and Andre Willis, 38, were killed took place July 31, 2022.
Kirtley, who faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison, testified Tuesday that he was going to exercise about 2:30 a.m. and an SUV was blocking his driveway, The Detroit News reported.
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Willis and Thirkeild were in the vehicle. Kirtley said he asked Willis three times to move it, according to the newspaper.
Kirtley said Willis responded by saying “What?” several times.
“He pulled out a black pistol and pointed it at me, and I went to my house and grabbed my gun,” Kirtley testified. “I was scared and confused of him shooting me. I came back out and shot the Durango. I felt my life was in danger.”
Kirtley also said he heard gunshots from across the street before he retrieved his assault-style rifle and began firing. He said he shot 16 times at Willis and Thirkeild, and another three times at two other men.
Defense attorney James Schlaff told the jury that his client believed he was about to be harmed or killed when he saw Willis with a gun.
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But Assistant Prosecutor James Kehoe said during closing arguments that there was no evidence Willis had a gun. Kehoe also said a slug struck a neighbor’s home before one of the men who was wounded began shooting at Kirtley, according to The Detroit News.
“This gun is being shot at everyone because this is a mass shooting,” Kehoe said. “He meant to pull that trigger and he meant to do it at least 19 times. He wasn’t threatened. He wasn’t provoked.”
An investigation is underway after police shot and killed a man on Detroit’s west side. (Noelle Friel, Sara Schulz, Copyright 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.)
DETROIT – An investigation is underway after police shot and killed a man on Detroit’s west side.
The incident occurred on Thursday (June 25) in the 18900 block of Rosemont Avenue and 7 Mile Road, prompting a response from police and emergency crews, who set up a staging area.
Local 4 is heading to the scene and will provide updates as they become available, but the victim’s condition has not been released as of 7:55 p.m.
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The Detroit Police Department’s Media Relations team was responding to the scene, and officials said additional information would be provided, including a media briefing with sound available.
Authorities have not released details about what led up to the shooting or the circumstances involving the officer or officers involved.
This is a breaking news story, and updates will be posted as they become available.
Copyright 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
About the Author
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Brandon Carr
Brandon Carr is a digital content producer for ClickOnDetroit and has been with WDIV Local 4 since November 2021. Brandon is the 2015 Solomon Kinloch Humanitarian award recipient for Community Service.
The Detroit Lions are facing a significant dilemma regarding a player selected in the first-round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
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Cornerback Terrion Arnold is facing multiple felony charges stemming from an alleged robbery and kidnapping plot in Florida.
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When drafted, the former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back signed a four-year, $14,343,710 contract. The agreement included a $7,251,788 signing bonus and an average salary of $3,585,928 annually.
So at this point, Arnold has been paid more than half of his contract.
This year, Arnold was set to earn a base salary of $1,273,974, which included a roster bonus of $825,000. His cap hit is $3,911,921 this year and has dead cap hit of $9,127,816.
If the Lions decide to cut the 23-year-old, they would be on the hook for dead cap costs, but could in the future recoup monies based on the league’s conduct policy.
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According to Spotrac, “Lions Terrion Arnold has 2-years, $4.8 M (guaranteed) remaining on his rookie contract, plus a potential 5th-year option for the 2028 season. Any suspension stemming from a violation of the league’s conduct polict would void the guarantees.”
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In the short term, cutting Arnold is not significantly beneficial. The organization could save money in the future depending on if his decisions are deemed to have breech the clauses in his first NFL contract.
Detroit has options at the cornerback position if Arnold is no longer a part of the organization. Nick Whiteside, Rock Ya-Sin, Keith Abney and Ennis Rakestraw are all in the mix to earn playing time opposite of veteran D.J. Reed.
“It’s just the depth. Like, you’ve got guys that have played in games and that’s what you want. It’s not like you’re guessing on what you’re getting. You know what you’re going to get from those guys and so another year in the system, another year competing, he’s (Whiteside) going to be better,” said defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend. “And just that’s the thing about the NFL, you got to have guys who go out there and compete and he’s another one that’s capable of playing and it’s going to push everybody else in the room.”
Currently, the team has $19,338,873 (17th) available in cap space, based on the top-51 players on the roster.
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#Lions CB Terrion Arnold has 2-years, $4.8M (guaranteed) remaining on his rookie contract, plus a potential 5th-year option for the 2028 season.
Any suspension stemming from a violation of the league’s conduct policy would void the guarantees.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) June 25, 2026
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Police had not released details about the nature of the investigation
DETROIT – A large police investigation was underway on Detroit’s west side.
Update: 7-year-old boy shot multiple times, man killed in shooting on Detroit’s west side
The scene is taking place on Wednesday (June 24) near Burgess Street, not far from Outer Drive and Fenkell Avenue.
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Police had not released details about the nature of the investigation.
Multiple requests for information from the police were pending.
Local 4 photographer Sara Schulz, who is at the scene, observed officers searching the area and appeared to be looking for evidence, including possible shell casings.
The circumstances surrounding the investigation, including whether anyone was injured or whether a shooting occurred, were not immediately confirmed.
Police are expected to provide additional information as the investigation develops.
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Copyright 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
About the Author
Brandon Carr headshot
Brandon Carr
Brandon Carr is a digital content producer for ClickOnDetroit and has been with WDIV Local 4 since November 2021. Brandon is the 2015 Solomon Kinloch Humanitarian award recipient for Community Service.
