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Luke Svacha
STERLING HEIGHTS/CENTER LINE — A Center Line man is facing a murder charge after a shooting that resulted in the death of a 24-year-old man at a Sterling Heights hotel on Feb. 1.
Luke Svacha, 51, allegedly shot and killed 24-year-old Jajuan Marls at the Extended Stay America hotel in Sterling Heights, according to a press release from the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.
After the shooting, Svacha fled to his home in Center Line, which he refused to exit when police arrived, the press release stated. After several hours of negotiations, he exited the house unarmed and was taken into custody.
Svacha was arraigned Feb. 4 in the 41A District Court in Sterling Heights. He was charged with one count of first-degree premeditated murder, punishable by life in prison; felony weapons charges, punishable by up to five years in prison; and resisting and obstructing a police officer, a two-year felony.
“This was a senseless and tragic act of violence that took the life of an individual. Our office is committed to ensuring that justice is served,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in a statement.
Svacha was scheduled for a probable cause conference on Feb. 12 that was adjourned until 8:30 a.m. on March 10 before Judge Kimberly Wiegand.
His attorney, Kenneth Vernier, according to court records, could not be reached for comment at press time.
