Suspect In Clinton Township Boy's Death Well-Known At Apartment Complex: Police

(UPDATED) CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI — A Mt. Clemens man is in police custody in connection with accidental shooting of a 3-year-old Clinton Township resident Tuesday. Clinton Township police have not released the name of the man, but said in a statement that charges would be brought against the 29-year-old Thursday in Macomb County.

Cameron Dillard died after accidentally shooting himself outside the Newport Arms Apartment Complex on Joy Boulevard east of Gratiot Avenue in Clinton Township. Police said the boy found a handgun in the grass and believe it fell out of a pocket of the Mt. Clemens man.

Dillard’s mother was nearby when the gun went off and rushed him to McLaren Macomb Hospital. Police said the shot struck the boy in the chest and that he died at the hospital.

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Clinton Township police said the Mount Clemens man was on parole for a weapons charge. The FBI Macomb County Violent crimes Task force, which Clinton Township helps staff with an officer, located and arrested the suspect on the west side of Detroit at about 8 p.m. Tuesday night, according to the news release.

Clinton Township Capt. Richard Maierle said the 29-year-old is well-known in the apartment complex. He said in interviews with residents, officers learned that the suspect was known to carry a handgun with him.

While he has a Mt. Clemens mailing address, Maierle said the suspect frequently stayed at Newport Arms Apartments with friends and at other residences in the immediate area. “People knew who he was right away,” he said.

Maierle was not sure exactly what charges the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office would authorize. But he did say the 29-year-old would likely be arraigned at 1 p.m. at the 21-B District Court in Clinton Township.

The Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office was scheduled to do an autopsy of the toddler Wednesday.