Man charged in fatal shooting of 19-year-old ex-girlfriend inside Canton Township hotel

CANTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Joseph Michael Slocum, Jr., 23, of Wayne, with the fatal shooting of Veronica Crain, 19, of Detroit.

The incident occurred on Friday (Feb. 16) at 9:22 p.m. when Canton police were dispatched to a hotel in the 5700 block of North Haggerty Road for a reported shooting.

Officials said when they arrived that they located Crain behind a desk, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.

Allegedly, Slocum, Jr. entered the hotel and fatally shot Crain before fleeing the scene.

Canton police were dispatched to SB I-275 and Ford Road at 9:43 p.m. for a reported car accident.

When they arrived, officials said they saw Slocum lying in the road, suffering from multiple injuries. He was transported to a Metro Detroit hospital for treatment.

The 23-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder and felony firearm.

Slocum has a probable cause conference scheduled for May 3 at 9:30 p.m.

“I say this often: The most dangerous time for a domestic violence victim is when they are trying to leave the relationship. Horrifyingly, this case is a textbook example. We will vigorously seek justice for Veronica and her family. And please, if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, there are many people and agencies who stand by to help you,” said Prosecutor Kym Worthy.