Money Being Raised For Black Teen Shot At In Rochester Hills

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — A local teacher is rallying the community to raise money for the 14-year-old boy shot at last week while looking for directions to his high school. A GoFundMe account has been started for Brennan Walker, the freshman at Rochester High, who made headlines after 53-year-old Jeffery Ziegler, a resident of the Christian Hills subdivision, grabbed a shotgun and chased the teen from his doorstep, firing shots at him. The teen says he was just looking for directions after missing the bus and Ziegler’s wife, who answered the door, instantly began screaming when she saw him. She called 911 and reported that a black man was trying to break in, authorities said.

The man raising money for Brennan is a high school physics teacher, father of two and lifelong resident of Rochester Hills. Mike Vollmayer has never met Brennan, but hopes the grassroots effort shows him his community cares.

“I am sure he is struggling now with other types of damage; perhaps feelings of fear, distrust, and detachment within his own community,” Vollmayer wrote on the campaign webpage. “Next time he misses the bus, will he choose walk to school or just stay home?”

Vollmayer has rallied several dozen people from around Rochester Hills to across the county, each giving a little. As of Monday morning, nearly $1,400 had been raised. Volleyer will work with the school to deliver the money and messages of well-being and said he hopes Brennan can use the money for a ride to school. More than the financial aspect, though, it’s to send a different message than what Ziegler did.

“All day long I have spoken with my friends and neighbors here in Rochester Hills. All were disturbed, disappointed, angered, and saddened that an act so cruel, ignorant, and senseless could happen in our progressive, diverse, and generous community,” Vollmayer wrote. “This event contradicts all of what I feel we love and strive for as a city.”

This is not the first weapons charge for Ziegler. According to a report by Fox2, Warren police arrested him for a road rage incident on I-696 in 2004, when he faced an aggravated felonious assault charge, but plead guilty to a misdemeanor. He got one year of probation, plus fines and court costs.

This time around, Ziegler posted a $50,000 bond, will have to hand over his weapons, undergo mental health counseling and stay within 10 miles from Brennan, which means he cannot return home. He’ll be back in court April 24.

Image via GoFundMe

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