Stolen Cell Phone, Fight Led To Detroit Mass Shooting That Killed 3: Prosecutor

DETROIT — A Detroit mass shooting that killed three and injured four stemmed from a stolen cell phone and a fight between women, according to prosecutors.

The shooting happened last Sunday at 7:30 a.m. at the corner of Eaton and Prest streets, near a home that was hosting "dancing-type activities," according to police.

Prosecutors identified the three fatal victims as Ansley Harris Jr., 45 and Donahvan Gray, 36, both of Detroit, and Kevin Scott, 63, of Belleville.

Additionally, a 32-year-old woman from Detroit, 25-year-old man from Redford, 30-year-old man from Detroit and 28-year-old woman from Detroit suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds, according to prosecutors.

Christopher Rafael Gouch, 25, of Detroit, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder, four counts of assault with intent to murder and seven counts of felony firearm.

He was placed in jail and denied bond. His next court date is scheduled for Oct. 9.

The home where the shooting happened acted as an after-hours spot with strip club-like activities, according to police.

Prosecutors said a fight broke out among women over a missing cell phone inside the home.

They said the fight escalated outside the home when Gouch intervened and fired several shots, fatally striking a security guard, a DJ and a party-goer.

Investigators found more than a dozen shell castings at the scene.

"Some of the most tragic events occur because a totally unrelated event spirals completely out of control," Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said. "The alleged evidence in this case speaks to exactly that: women who could not control their anger led to violence among them and that led to the shooting of seven people. This was unnecessary and ridiculous and now three people will never see another day."

Gouch, who has no prior criminal history and had a valid concealed pistol license, argued he fired in self-defense.

His lawyer said he was preventing someone from getting "jumped" when he himself got "jumped."

"Eventually other altercations occurred and he was helping someone getting assaulted by multiple people," his lawyer said. "He believes lives were in great bodily harm and in danger of possibly dying themselves."

The judge said several factors, such as Gouch's lack of a criminal history, being a valid CPL holder and an "imperfect self-defense argument" weighed in his favor. However, the judge still denied Gouch bail.