Detroit man charged in Salvation Army bell ringer’s death

A 37-year-old Detroit man is going through a homicide cost within the dying of a Salvation Military whistleblower at a Westland Kroger per week earlier than Christmas.

Rene Zambrana was arraigned on Monday, Dec. 22, on expenses of first-degree homicide and possession of a firearm in the course of the fee of a felony in reference to the Dec. 18 dying of Alvin Echols, 47, of Westland, based on a information launch from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Workplace.

Earlier than the listening to, Wayne County prosecutors emphasised that the 2 males knew one another, and that this was not a case of a whistleblower being randomly shot. A sibling of Echols additionally reported this to the Free Press, saying forward of Monday’s courtroom listening to that the suspect was a longtime household buddy.

Extra: Westland Kroger taking pictures sufferer recognized, GoFundMe arrange for household

Echols was volunteering as a whistleblower, on the lookout for donations to put in a Salvation Military cauldron, on the Kroger on Ford Street on Dec. 18 about 6:20 p.m., when Zambrana arrived, based on prosecutors.

Prosecutors say Zambrana fired a number of photographs after which fled.

Echols bumped into the shop, collapsed on the self-checkout and died from a single shot to the chest.

Westland police arrested Zambrana within the early morning hours the subsequent day.

Prosecutor Kym Worthy expressed concern in a information launch a couple of false story she mentioned was being unfold, indicating the incident was random.

“The proof will present that this was seemingly a posh interpersonal relationship battle,” she mentioned. “These allegations are however extraordinarily tragic and prison.”

Zambrana was despatched to jail throughout his arraignment within the 18th District Court docket in Westland, prosecutors mentioned. He’ll return to courtroom on December 30.

His by far most severe cost – the first-degree homicide cost – carries a penalty of life in jail with out the potential for parole if convicted.