An argument over juice led to the death of a 2-year-old girl. According to the Detroit Free Press, the incident occurred on the east side of Detroit.
Reportedly, the issues began after Antoine Smelley poured juice over a woman’s head and threatened to shoot her shortly before her prom. Antoine accused the woman of stealing $1,000. An argument and fight followed the incident after Cleveland Smelley and Deonta Bennett arrived at the home. The fight, which started inside the home, spilled outside and eventually became more violent.
Bennett handed a gun to Cleveland who started shooting. Makanzee Oldham, 2, was in the car with her father when a stray bullet struck her in the head. Oldham’s father lived next door to the home where the shooting occurred. The 2-year-old child was rushed to the hospital where she attempted to fight for her life for several days. However, she died over the weekend due to complications caused from the gun shot wound.
The incident is another example of how senseless violence can affect the entire community. In the past few months, several kids in Detroit have been killed due to gun violence. A 6-month-old and a 3-year-old, were killed and a 5-year-old shot herself after finding a gun in her grand parent’s home. Over the weekend a 15-year-old girl was shot while sitting on her porch.
In Oldham’s case, a cup of juice and a $1,000 debt led to the murder of an innocent child. The suspects will also likely spend the rest of their lives behind bars over such stupidity.
After the shooting, Cleveland fled the scene, but was arrested one day later at a motel near 8 Mile road.
Cleveland Smelley, 30, Antoine Smelly, 32, and Deonta Bennet, 21, were all charged with eight counts of assault and the charges will be upgraded today to murder.
