Shootout Leads To Death Of Clinton Township Man

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI — Police are investigating the death of a 26-year-old Clinton Township man Friday evening. Carlton Coleman died from a gunshot wound to the hip after an argument with a man at the Oxford Square Apartments on 15 Mile Road near Lipke Road.

Police initially held a 24-year-old Clinton Township man in connection with the shooting, but have since released him. Police said an investigation to the incident is ongoing.

The argument between the two men started because Coleman was allegedly smoking marijuana in front of the 24-year-old’s children, according to a report in the Macomb Daily. The newspaper reported that Coleman was sitting in a Chevy Impala in the parking lot of the apartments when the argument started.

Harsh words escalated into gun shots within a few moments. The Macomb Daily reported that the 24-year-old was also was struck in the gunfight, taking a shot to the arm.

“He is claiming self defense, so we are going back around to interview the witnesses before we present our case to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office,” Clinton Township Detective Capt. Richard Maierle told the newspaper.

Police said an autopsy on Coleman was completed Monday. The Macomb County Medical Examiner’s office determined that Coleman was struck by one round in the hip and bled to death.

Friends were saddened by Coleman’s death and shared their thoughts on Facebook:

Photo by CPOA via Flickr Commons