Thursday, July 29, 2010

Lansing, MI: Family: Lansing woman, 19, had dated one of the suspects in her slaying

2 men arraigned on charges that include murder

Kevin Grasha
kgrasha@lsj.com

Shayla Johnson used to date one of the two men now charged with killing her, family members said.

The same day the 19-year-old woman was shot and killed at her home on Lenore Street, Dion Lanier - one of two men arraigned Monday on charges in connection with her death - was on the front porch, hanging out with her younger brother, said her mother, Lori Black.

She added that Johnson and Lanier dated for a few months about two years ago.

Neighbors said Johnson was shot multiple times Friday night in front of the house.

No one else was home at the time.

Black said she had gone to her boyfriend's home that night to plan a camping trip that was supposed to begin Saturday. Johnson was supposed to go on the trip, Black said.

At a hearing in 54A District Court, Lanier, 18, and another man, Walee al-Din, 21, both of Lansing, were arraigned on charges that include murder, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and conspiracy to commit home invasion.

Black said she has never met al-Din.

Judge Louise Alderson ordered Lanier and al-Din to be held without bond at the Ingham County Jail. Both requested court-appointed attorneys.

Preliminary hearing

A preliminary hearing, which determines if there is enough evidence for a trial, is set for Aug. 5.

Police arrested three men in connection with the incident. A third man is expected to be arraigned today on similar charges, Lansing police Lt. Noel Garcia said. More arrests are possible, Garcia said.

Three guns used

According to the felony complaint read aloud Monday in court, three guns were used during the incident - two handguns and an AK-47 assault rifle. The men went to the house to steal money and/or a controlled substance, according to the complaint.

More than a dozen of Johnson's friends and family were in the courtroom, as well as friends and family of both Lanier and al-Din. The suspects' friends and family left the courthouse before the State Journal could seek comment.

Additional Facts
What's next
A third suspect arrested in connection with Friday's fatal shooting of 19-year-old Shayla Johnson is expected to be arraigned today. Police say more arrests are possible.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow if your going to report that this was a intimate crime then maybe we should be looking at David Allan the drug lord boyfriend that had spoke with Shayla just 10 min prior to the shooting.

Unknown said...

Wow if your going to report that this was a intimate crime then maybe we should be looking at David Allan the drug lord boyfriend that had spoke with Shayla just 10 min prior to the shooting.