THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025

PONTIAC, Mich. - Oakland County Prosecutor KAREN D. McDONALD charged Nino Denzel-Wesley Red, a 32-year-old resident of Detroit with First Degree murder and three firearms charges in the death of David Willis II.

Just after midnight on December 19, 2022, the victim was leaving a Madison Heights restaurant when an SUV pulled up next to him in the parking lot. After a verbal exchange, the defendant is alleged to have shot the victim multiple times from the vehicle before leaving the scene.

"Madison Heights Police and FBI refused to give up on this case. Thanks to their efforts over the last two years, we now have an opportunity to bring David Willis' killer to justice," said Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald. "Families of murder victims never really stop grieving their loss and we never stop working to hold murderers accountable."

A joint investigative effort by the Madison Heights Police and the FBI eventually identified the defendant as the alleged shooter.

"The cooperative effort between the Madison Heights Police Department and the FBI Gang and Violent Crimes Task Force enabled the detectives to complete their investigation and present the case to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office who authorized charges against the suspect in this incident," said Madison Heights Police Chief Brent LeMerise. "This will help bring closure to the family of the victim and ensure that the suspect is held accountable for his actions."

First Degree Murder is punishable by life in prison without parole. Felony Firearm is punishable by two years in prison consecutive with any other sentence. Weapons Possession of a Firearm by a Felon is punishable by two years in prison consecutive with any other sentence.

Charges are accusations and individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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CONTACT: ocpomedia@oakgov.com