By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
TAYLOR – Tonya Davidson, shot Nov. 16 at the Marathon Taylor Fuel Stop, died Nov. 20, and the Wayne County prosecutor wants further police investigation before determining the charges the shooter might face.
The two women, who knew each other and had an adversarial relationship, reportedly had an altercation at a coffee shop earlier that day, according to a WJBK Channel 2 report, which also said the victim had two children with a man who also fathered a child with the shooter.
Social media reports say Davidson followed the other woman into the gas station building and attacked her with her fists, after which the accused allegedly drew a gun and shot Davidson in the abdomen. Davidson was pronounced dead upon arrival at a local hospital.
The Police Department transferred the case and suspect to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s office, which returned it to Taylor and released the suspect, pending charges, asking for further investigation.
The charges may depend on whether the shooter used deadly force because she feared for her life or great bodily harm, in which case the shooting could be defensible under Michigan law.
Police Chief John Blair said Nov. 30 that the prosecutor is reviewing the evidence.
“There is no timetable for a decision,” Blair said, “but we don’t anticipate it being much longer.”
The shooter’s name has not yet been released pending an arraignment or dismissal of the charges.
(Sue Suchyta can be reached at [email protected].)