Friday, February 23, 2024

PONTIAC, Mich. - On Thursday, February 22, 2024, Oakland County Prosecutor KAREN D. McDONALD charged a juvenile in connection with the shooting death of 40-year-old Robert Wayne Lee II, known online as "Boopac Shakur." The 17-year-old is charged with Homicide, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, and Felony Firearm.

Charges stem from an incident that occurred on September 29, 2023, in Pontiac. At approximately 10:30 pm, it is alleged that the victim entered a restaurant in Pontiac, where the then 16-year-old defendant and his 18-year-old friend were already seated at a booth. Security camera footage shows Mr. Lee approach the juvenile’s friend before engaging him in a physical altercation. At the same time, the defendant can be seen pulling out a semi-automatic firearm from his waistband. The defendant then aims directly at the victim and fires multiple rounds, striking the victim. The juvenile and his friend fled the location, leaving the victim. Law enforcement was called to the scene where they found the victim. Mr. Lee was transported to the hospital for medical attention and ultimately died as a result of his injuries.

As our office indicated shortly after the shooting, there is no evidence that the shooting was related to any "sting" operation by the victim. The charging decision comes after a thorough review of all available information.

"This is a tragic incident," stated Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald. "A physical altercation turned deadly almost instantly because this individual chose to illegally carry a concealed, deadly weapon, and then to use it. The vast majority of gun violence deaths, including this one, are preventable.”

The defendant has been in custody on other charges since the shooting. Those charges include Assault with Intent to Murder and Felony Firearm. Those charges stem from a different incident that occurred on September 20, 2023, outside of a supermarket in Pontiac near the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and Perry St. Store surveillance video shows a fight between two young men in the parking lot. The video then shows a third individual, alleged to be the defendant, exit a vehicle and begin shooting at one of the combatants. This shooting was not immediately reported to law enforcement and was only reported after the mother of the individual who was shot at reported suspicious activity near her home that she believed was related to the shooting and to potential gang activity. The trial regarding the September 20, 2023, incident began yesterday morning in front of Oakland County Circuit Court Family Division Judge Kameshia D. Gant.

In both cases our office asked the court to designate the case, meaning that the 17-year-old will be tried as an adult but, if convicted, the judge will have the option to sentence him as a juvenile, as an adult, or he could receive a "blended sentence" that incorporates both juvenile rehabilitation and adult punishment.

Homicide is a felony punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $7,500. Carrying a Concealed Weapon is a felony punishable by 5 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to $2,500. Assault with Intent to Murder is a felony punishable by life imprisonment or any term of years. Felony Firearm carries a sentence of two years mandatory imprisonment.

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

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CONTACT: ocpomedia@oakgov.com