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Detroit men charged in I-75 shooting that killed 2-year-old boy, injured his brother

Family’s truck mistakenly targeted by gunman, according to prosecutor’s office

DETROIT – Two men are charged in connection with the deadly shooting of a 2-year-old boy June 17 on I-75 in Detroit.

Darius Evonte Lanier, 19, and Eugene Meredith Hubbard, 21, have been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 2-year-old Brison Christian. The toddler’s brother, 9-year-old BJ, also was injured in the shooting.

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Both of the victims are from Dearborn. The suspects were arraigned and remanded to jail without bond Tuesday afternoon in the 36th District Court.

The probable cause conference is on July 6 at 8:30 a.m. and the preliminary examination is July 12 at 1:30 p.m., both before Judge Roberta Archer.

Read: Community rallies around family of 2-year-old killed in I-75 freeway shooting

Both suspects were arraigned on charges of first-degree murder, three counts of assault with intent to murder, one count of discharge from a vehicle causing death, one count of discharge from a vehicle causing injury, two counts of discharge from a vehicle and eight counts of felony firearm.

According to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, at about 9:39 p.m. Thursday, June 17 the children and their mother were being driven from BJ’s basketball practice on I-75 and McNichols Road in Detroit by their father Brian Christian.

Read more: MSP: ‘Multiple arrests’ made in connection with I-75 shooting that killed 2-year-old

The father heard gunshots and his car would not function normally. Once the couple pulled over they realized their two sons were shot. Their vehicle had been shot at multiple times. The 2-year-old was shot in the head and his older brother was shot in the left arm. While the toddler died the older sibling survived.

‘Completely innocent victims’

The suspects mistakenly targeted the couple’s black truck based on its color and the manufacturer. The family members were innocent victims, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Additional details are not being released as the case continues to be investigated.

‘”The Christian family were completely innocent victims. This was a family returning from a child sports activity that were mistaken for others because of their truck. Two year old Brison is dead and his 9-year-old brother barely escaped serious injury,” said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy.” A child is dead because adults decided that they were judge, jury, and executioner. They will get a fair trial, but Brison doesn’t get to have a life.”


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