MT. MORRIS TOWNSHIP (WJRT) -
(03/12/13) - Charges have been issued in the Saturday afternoon murder of 21-year-old Laventez Phipps in Mt. Morris Township.
Phipps was shot and killed at a home in the 5000 block of Nasser, off of Coldwater. Darshaun Demond, 17, was quickly named a person of interest and arrested within hours.
Tuesday, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton charged Demond with open murder, felony murder, armed robbery, carrying a concealed weapon and felony firearm.
ABC12 has learned new details about what police believe happened in the moments leading up to Phipps' death.
Mt. Morris Township Police Detective Ken Silas, while getting the warrant authorized Tuesday morning, told 67th District Court Judge Christopher Demond had gone to Phipps' home to attempt to sell him a gun.
Silas said both Phipps and Demond went into the backyard to fire the gun to make sure it worked.
Phipps went inside to get money and when he came outside, Demond fired two shots at him, striking him twice in the chest, according to Silas.
Silas said Demond took about $200 out of Phipps' hand and fled. Silas said Phipps' sister and father witnessed the murder.
Mt. Morris Township Police Chief Scott McKenna said Demond was in custody within five hours of the shooting.
Michigan State Police released a statement detailing their involvement in the arrest of a female and Demond:
The male suspect fled the scene on Nasser Drive, but troopers later located the vehicle in the City of Flint on Jamieson Street near Dupont Street. A stop was conducted and the female driver was taken into custody.
Further investigation provided information that led troopers to an address where both the suspect and the suspected murder weapon were located. The suspect was lodged at the Genesee County Jail on Sunday, March 10.
The MSP K9 Unit and Aviation Unit assisted with the investigation.
Demond, while being arraigned Tuesday afternoon, told Odette he is currently on probation for carrying a concealed weapon. Demond told Odette he attends school an alternative education school.
Demond is being held, without bond, in the Genesee County Jail.
Silas said police are looking at whether to seek charges against others who may have played a part in the crime.
Laventez Phipps
