WHITE LAKE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A community is divided and a family is in mourning after a tragic shooting in White Lake Township left a teenager dead and a homeowner facing criminal charges. Authorities say the fatal incident occurred during a garage break-in, but the decision to charge the homeowner with manslaughter instead of murder has ignited anger and grief among the teen’s loved ones, who are now calling for justice.
According to the White Lake Township Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call just after 2:30 a.m. Saturday at a residence on Highland Road, where they found a 17-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite the immediate efforts of first responders and emergency medical personnel, the teen was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say the homeowner, whose name has been publicly released as a 53-year-old man, told investigators he fired his weapon after discovering someone attempting to enter his detached garage.
Following an investigation and review by the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, the homeowner has been charged with manslaughter—a decision that has sparked outrage from the victim’s family and some members of the community. They argue that the shooting was not an act of self-defense but an unnecessary and reckless use of deadly force against a teenager who did not pose an imminent threat.
The victim has been identified by family members as [Teen’s Name withheld pending confirmation by authorities], a high school student described by loved ones as a kind-hearted, curious, and outgoing young man who made a mistake but did not deserve to die for it.
“We’re devastated,” said the teen’s mother, Angela Richardson, during a family press conference on Wednesday. “My son was not a criminal. He was a kid. He didn’t deserve to be shot and killed. We want this man charged with murder because that’s what he did—he murdered my child.”
Police reports indicate that the homeowner confronted the teen in the garage after hearing noises outside his home. Investigators say there was no direct evidence that the teen was armed or attempting to harm the homeowner. The prosecutor’s office stated that while the shooting appeared to be intentional, there was insufficient evidence to prove premeditation or malice necessary for a murder charge.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald released a statement addressing the decision:
“This is a tragic and complex case. After careful review of the evidence, including witness statements and forensic findings, we determined that the appropriate charge is manslaughter. This does not diminish the loss of life or the pain this family is experiencing.”
Still, the family insists that the homeowner acted far beyond what the law allows for self-defense. Supporters gathered outside the White Lake Township Police Department on Thursday evening holding signs reading “Justice for [Teen’s Name]” and “A child, not a threat.”
Civil rights activists and local faith leaders have also joined the family’s call for accountability, arguing that the case raises broader questions about gun use, racial bias, and the boundaries of Michigan’s self-defense laws.
“The value of this young man’s life cannot be reduced to a tragic mistake,” said Rev. Michael Jennings, a Detroit-area pastor who attended the vigil. “If we allow people to shoot first and ask questions later, then we are saying that some lives are expendable—and that is unacceptable.”
Neighbors described the area as typically quiet and safe, saying they were shocked by the violence. “You never expect something like this here,” said one resident. “We all want to feel safe in our homes, but shooting a teenager for being in a garage—there had to be another way.”
The homeowner has since been released on bond and is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing later this month. If convicted of manslaughter, he could face up to 15 years in prison.
Meanwhile, the teen’s family is preparing to lay him to rest, while continuing their campaign for prosecutors to elevate the charges to second-degree murder. A GoFundMe page has been launched to assist with funeral expenses and to support a legal fund for advocacy efforts.
As the legal process unfolds, the case has become a flashpoint in White Lake Township—a tragic story that raises painful questions about fear, justice, and responsibility.
“This shouldn’t have happened,” said the teen’s older sister through tears. “He was somebody’s son, somebody’s brother, somebody’s friend. We’re not going to stop until there’s real justice for him.”
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