Current:Home > ContactDetroit man convicted in mass shooting that followed argument over vehicle blocking driveway -Elevate Profit Vision
Detroit man convicted in mass shooting that followed argument over vehicle blocking driveway
View
Date:2025-04-24 05:57:56
DETROIT (AP) — 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.
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.
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.”
Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 4.
veryGood! (89887)
Related
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Scientists are flying into snowstorms to explore winter weather mysteries
- Twitter bots surfaced during Chinese protests. Who's behind them remains a mystery
- NPR staff review the best new games and some you may have missed
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- Delilah Belle Hamlin Wants Jason Momoa to Slide Into Her DMs
- Dad of 12 Nick Cannon Regrets Not Having a Baby With Christina Milian
- Dad of 12 Nick Cannon Regrets Not Having a Baby With Christina Milian
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- What if we gave our technology a face?
Ranking
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- See the Vanderpump Rules Cast Arrive to Season 10 Reunion Amid Scandoval
- Sephora 24-Hour Flash Sale: 50% Off Urban Decay, Dr. Brandt, Lancôme, and More
- You'll Love the To All the Boys I've Loved Before Spinoff XO, Kitty in This First Look
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- Multiple people killed amid new fighting in Israel and Palestinian territories as Egypt pushes truce
- Most of us are still worried about AI — but will corporate America listen?
- This Navy vet helped discover a new, super-heavy element
Recommendation
Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
A tiny but dangerous radioactive capsule is found in Western Australia
Israel strikes on Gaza kill 25 people including children, Palestinians say, as rocket-fire continues
'Dead Space' Review: New voice for a recurring nightmare
FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
If ChatGPT designed a rocket — would it get to space?
Evidence proves bear captured over killing of Italian jogger is innocent, activists say
'Like a Dragon: Ishin!' Review: An epic samurai tale leaves Japan for the first time