A Michigan man has been arrested by authorities in connection to the fatal shooting of a 19-year old woman, who police say was the man’s ex-girlfriend.
Joseph Michael Slocum Jr., 23, was arrested after police found Veronica Crain fatally shot at a hotel in Canton, Michigan.
Canton police responded to a shooting at a hotel on the evening of Feb. 16th.
Upon arrival, authorities found Crain behind the desk, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Paramedics on the scene tried their best to sustain her wounds, but pronounced her dead shortly after.
Authorities stated that Slocum entered the hotel, shot Crain, and then fled the scene. About 30 minutes later, officers responded to a car accident at a separate location where they found the suspect lying in the road suffering from multiple injuries.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy indicated Crain was in the process of trying to leave her relationship with Slocum.
“The most dangerous time for a domestic violence victim is when they are trying to leave the relationship,” she said in the statement. “Horrifyingly, this case is a textbook example.”
A woman claiming to be Crain’s mother posted on Facebook, “I’m in mourning loss over my daughter’s death. She was my first love, my best friend, and I know she will now be my guardian angel.”
“She thought it was love and I don’t know the answer but my baby is gone and didn’t deserve it,” Kimberly Crain wrote, sharing a GoFundMe created to lay Veronica to rest in a manner as beautiful as possible. “This ain’t fair, I feel like my heart has been ripped out of me she went everywhere with me and now I can’t see her or hear her.”
“I just hope to get justice. I know god’s got my baby. I know she’s up there with my dad. I know she’s up there with her uncle,” Kimberly added.
Veronica was an employee at Comfort Inn, and was a very loving person. Many friends spoke about how she was taken too soon and didn’t deserve to die in such a manor.
Online court records show Slocum has been charged with premeditated first-degree murder and possession of a firearm.
Slocum has retained an attorney and was arraigned on Monday. He has entered a plea of not guilty.
