Drug deal ends in gunfire at gas station

WARREN — A marijuana transaction resulting in gunfire at a Warren gas station on April 11 could lead to prison time for most of the suspects involved.

Kevin Walton, 25; Daquan Beasley, 31; and Shannon White, 29 — all from Detroit — were arraigned in the 37th District Court on April 14. All three face charges of armed robbery, punishable by up to life in prison, and related weapons charges. White was also charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery and fleeing and eluding police.

A fourth suspect, Matthew Kakos, 23, of Sterling Heights, was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, punishable by up to seven years in prison. He also faces a weapons charge.

At about 4:15 p.m. on April 11, the Warren Police Department received several calls about a shooting at the Marathon gas station located at 30951 Mound Road in Warren. Witnesses reportedly observed a white SUV chasing an unidentified man in the parking lot and heard gunshots. According to police, patrol officers arrived at the scene quickly.  From their investigation, police found shell casings from two different caliber guns and shattered glass.

According to police, the gunfire that was heard resulted from an alleged marijuana transaction between occupants of a white Chevrolet Blazer and a black Mercedes-Benz. After reviewing the gas station’s surveillance cameras, police said one occupant from the white Blazer entered the passenger side of the black Mercedes. About a minute later, another man from the Blazer also reportedly entered the black Mercedes. After both men were in the Mercedes for a few minutes, they exited the vehicle while allegedly carrying white bags and returned to the Blazer. Gunfire ensued between the Blazer and the Mercedes.

According to police, the Blazer had a shattered window. It reportedly fled the scene and was involved in a minor collision with a police vehicle near the 12 Mile Road and Mound Road area. No one was injured.

Police identified the occupants of the Blazer as Walton, Beasley and White.

“After conducting an in-depth investigation which included the execution of ten-plus search warrants, investigators learned that the occupants of the Chevy met up with an occupant of the black Mercedes at the gas station,” police said in a statement.

The next day, investigators located and arrested Kakos, the alleged occupant of the Mercedes.

“I want the public to know that this incident involved subjects known to each other and was not a random incident,” said Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer in a written release. “It is no secret that narcotic transactions routinely lead to violence. If you commit narcotic transactions in the City of Warren, we will use any and all resources to arrest everybody involved. Thanks to the severe charges by the Prosecutor’s Office and the appropriate bonds issued by the court, these suspects are off the streets and will no longer pose a threat to the community.”

Judge Michael Chupa set bond for Walton and Beasley at $1.5 million cash or surety only. The judge set White’s bond at $1 million cash or surety only. Bond for Kakos was set at $150,000 cash or surety only.

All the defendants were ordered by the judge not to use or possess firearms. If released, they would be required to wear a GPS tether.

Pleas of not guilty were entered on behalf of the defendants. Attempts to reach each of their attorneys were unsuccessful at press time.