Man Guilty Of Second-Degree Murder In Auburn Hills Fatal Shooting

AUBURN HILLS, MI — A jury on Monday found a man guilty of killing an artist last December during an argument over paint supplies inside an Auburn Hills home, according to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office.

After a three-day trial, Malcolm Otis Draper, 24, of Pontiac, was found guilty of second-degree murder and felony firearm after shooting 47-year-old Russell Holcomb, who died at a nearby hospital, according to prosecutors.

Draper will be housed in the Oakland County Jail until his sentencing date, which is scheduled for Sept. 4. He faces up to life in prison.

Prosecutors said Draper went to a home on Doris Road in Auburn Hills at 8p.m. on Dec. 5 to get artwork done by Holcomb, who was an artist.

While Holcomb was painting artwork for Draper inside the home, the two got into an argument that led to a fight, according to prosecutors.

Draper eventually got the upper hand and shot Holcomb in the neck, according to prosecutors.

After the shooting, Draper took Holcomb's art supplies and ran away from the home, according to prosecutors.

Draper later called police and told them he had shot someone inside the Auburn Hills home, according to prosecutors.

Officers found Holcomb suffering from the gunshot and took him to a nearby hospital where he later died, according to prosecutors.

"This was a senseless killing over a petty dispute," Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said. "While this verdict does not bring back the life of the victim, I hope that it brings some peace to the victim's family and loved ones."