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Detroit man charged with murder after stray bullet kills 11-year-old girl; Teen also to face charges

Saniyah Pugh fatally shot while sleeping

DETROIT – A 21-year-old Detroit man is facing several murder charges after an 11-year-old girl was killed by a stray bullet that entered her home while she slept.

The incident happened before 10:15 p.m. on June 4 in the 20290 block of Goulburn Street. Saniyah Pugh was found dead in her bedroom with a gunshot wound to her back.

Read: Detroit man, 21, charged after 11-year-old girl killed by stray bullet entering home

Police said William Trifun Dickerson and a 17-year-old fired a handgun multiple times. They were shooting in another backyard and a stray bullet entered through the back of the home, killing Saniyah Pugh.

Dickerson and the 17-year-old were arrested and taken into custody. Dickerson has been charged with second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, discharge at a building causing death, careless discharge causing injury or death and four counts of felony firearm.

“It doesn’t matter if you are shooting your gun off on New Year’s Eve or shooting at targets in your backyard, “said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. “The allegations in this case are yet another tragic reminder of that a bullet has no eyes. Ever.”

Dickerson was arraigned Friday (June 10) and remanded to jail

His probable cause conference is set for June 24 and a preliminary examination is set for July 1.

The 17-year-old is expected to be charged, but charges will not be formalized until June 11.

Read: 2 arrested after 11-year-old killed by stray bullet entering Detroit home


About the Author
Kayla Clarke headshot

Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer.

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