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Today, Zyar Brooks, 17, of River Rouge, has been charged as an adult offender in connection with the homicide of his friend Edmond Lamont Butler, 17, of Detroit.

On July 26, 2022, at 11:06 a.m., at South Liebold and Gilroy Streets, Detroit police officers responded to a reported shooting and observed Mr. Butler deceased in the driver's seat of his car with a wound to his head. He was transferred to the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office where it was determined that he died from a gunshot wound to the head.

After an extensive investigation by the Detroit Police Department the defendant was identified, arrested, and taken into custody in River Rouge on August 31, 2022. A handgun was confiscated from Brooks when he was arrested. It is alleged that Brooks got into the back seat area behind Butler and shot him in the back of the head one time and fled from the scene. Further details of the case will come out in court during the preliminary examination.

"The WCPO takes any decision to waive juveniles as adults extremely seriously. The alleged actions of the defendant in this case show a significant degree of decisiveness and weighing of his options in the killing of his avowed best friend. Truly tragic any way you look at it," said Prosecutor Kym Worthy.

Zyar Brooks has been charged with First-Degree Premeditated Murder, Felony Murder, Carrying a Concealed Weapon and two counts of Felony Firearm. *

He was arraigned and remanded to jail this afternoon in 36th District Court before Magistrate Laura Echartea. If released, he will have a GPS tether and home confinement. The Probable Cause Conference is scheduled for September 20, 2022, and the Preliminary Examination is scheduled for September 27, 2022, before Judge Kenneth King. Please request a photograph of the defendant from the Detroit Police Department.

*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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