Domestic Violence Call Leads to Multi-County Chase; Murder Charges Filed in Township Shooting; Housing Reform Bills Introduced; DTE Ordered to Pay $100M Penalty

A domestic violence call in mid-Michigan escalated into a multi-county police pursuit earlier this week.

Deputies in Shiawassee County were responding to a reported domestic assault in Owosso Monday afternoon when a suspect with multiple outstanding arrest warrants fled the scene in a vehicle. Authorities pursued the suspect into Clinton County, where the chase ended at the Meijer - DeWitt. The suspect pulled over and was taken into custody without further incident. No injuries were reported.

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In a separate case, a 21-year-old man has been formally charged following a deadly shooting in Township last Friday.

Alexander Lamar Banks Jr. faces 10 charges, including first-degree premeditated murder and three counts of assault with intent to murder. Prosecutors allege Banks intentionally struck a family with his vehicle before opening fire.

A 3-year-old girl was killed in the incident. The child’s 33-year-old mother, 36-year-old father, and a 72-year-old woman who attempted to intervene were injured and hospitalized.

According to a court affidavit, Banks told police he believed he had to kill someone to protect his own family due to online threats he claimed to have received.

Banks was denied bond and ordered to undergo a competency evaluation at a state psychiatric center. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.

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On the legislative front, bipartisan lawmakers unveiled a new housing reform package aimed at addressing rising housing costs across Michigan.

The bills, introduced by State Representatives Joe Aragona of Clinton Township and Kristian Grant of Grand Rapids, seek to relax zoning and development regulations to allow for more housing construction statewide. Supporters argue that increasing supply will help meet demand and lower costs for residents.

The legislation is expected to move to committee in the coming weeks.

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Meanwhile, DTE Energy has been ordered to pay a $100 million penalty after a federal judge ruled the company and three subsidiaries violated the Clean Air Act.

The ruling centered on pollution levels at the EES Coke battery facility between River Rouge and Detroit. The facility was found in 2018 to have emitted more than 3,200 tons of sulfur dioxide — exceeding the federal limit of 2,100 tons.

A spokesperson for DTE says the company plans to appeal the decision.