The man who shot and killed Renisha McBride when she was reportedly seeking help after a car accident has been charged with second degree murder and other crimes. Despite the incident occurring about two weeks ago, McBride’s killer was not charged until today (November 15) and is being asked to turn himself in.
Reports the Associated Press:
Prosecutors on Friday charged a suburban Detroit homeowner with second-degree murder in the death of a 19-year-old woman who was shot in the face on his porch.
Theodore P. Wafer, 54, of Dearborn Heights, also faces a manslaughter charge in the death of Renisha McBride in the early-morning hours of Nov. 2, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said. McBride was shot in the face after police say they believe she was involved in a car accident nearby in Detroit and family members say she likely approached Wafer’s home for help.
Civil rights groups have called for a thorough investigation, saying they believe race was a factor in the shooting – McBride was black, Wafer is white. Prosecutors insisted that race was not relevant.
Race is not relevant? Sorry, but considering how it always seems to come up, this is a case of a white man shooting an unarmed Black woman, it most certainly is involved, even if its a minor point. The homeowner contends he thought McBride was trying to break in and that his shotgun discharged accidentally.
Nevertheless, more details are emerging surround the circumstances of McBride’s death. According to authorities, McBride knocked on a locked screen door and there was no evidence that she was trying to break in. A toxicology report released yesterday revealed that McBride had marijuana and alcohol (her blood alcohol content was .22, twice the legal limit for driving) in her system.
However, we’re going to say being drunk and high doesn’t justify being shot in the face.
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Photo: Detroit News
