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Detroit Mom Killed During Attempted Carjacking, Two Teens Under Arrest

By Jennifer Deutschmann
Published on: 11:41 PST, Jan 29, 2016

A Detroit mom was killed by a 17-year-old boy who reportedly shot her during a botched carjacking attempt. Authorities confirmed Erica Garner, 43, was approached by two teens while parked outside the Michigan Light Guard Armory on Wednesday evening. Although she avoided the attempted carjacking, one of the suspects shot Erica as she drove away.

As reported by CNN, Garner had just finished her shift at the armory, where she was employed as a custodian. However, before she could exit the parking lot, two teens approached her vehicle and attempted to gain entry.

Although Erica managed to fight them off, she was shot in the head while driving away from the scene. The teens subsequently fled on foot.

Erica Garner drove approximately one block, where her 11-year-old son was waiting for a ride home from basketball practice. Click On Detroit reports the boy “got into the car without realizing what had happened.”

When Garner finally got out of the car to ask for help, witnesses said “She couldn’t speak. Blood was coming out of her ears … she was spitting up blood.” Although authorities were immediately called to the scene, it was simply too late. The mom of two was pronounced dead upon arrival at Detroit Receiving Hospital.

According to DB Techno, the suspects were identified based on witness reports and surveillance footage captured near the Michigan Light Guard Armory.

Authorities confirmed the arrest of 17-year-old Ralph Anthony Marshall in connection with the shooting death of the Detroit mom. He was later charged with attempted carjacking, murder, and possession of a firearm.

New Pittsburgh Courier reports Marshall’s accomplice, Rayvon Roscoe Smith, 18, was also arrested and charged in connection with Erica’s shooting death.

Erica Garner was the mom of a 15-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son. The children’s aunt said they are mourning a devastating loss.

“What could you say to an 11-year-old and a 15-year-old, who lost their parent? What can you say — because you can’t bring her back.”

Ironically, the Detroit mom was killed on her way to pick up her son, who was participating in a basketball program aimed at keeping teens off the streets and out of trouble.

In 2014, Detroit’s homicide rate dropped to its lowest point since 1967. However, the numbers are still disturbingly high.

Between January and December 2014, 281 people were murdered in the city of Detroit. That translates to “roughly 44 homicides per 100,000” residents. Detroit Free Press reports the number of burglaries, carjackings, non-fatal shootings, robberies, and sexual assaults also fell in 2014.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig said the numbers are encouraging. However, he admits there is still room for improvement.

“We still have work to do and while we are certainly excited that we’re moving in the right direction — and this is the lowest number since 1967 — we are not at all comfortable and certainly we’re concerned about the 300 victims that were victims in the city of Detroit [in 2014].”

Although the numbers may seem encouraging, the data may be misleading. The number of homicides in Detroit did reach a 47-year low in 2014. However, the city’s population also decreased by more than 800,000.

In contrast to the 44 homicides per 100,000 residents in 2014, the city had 18 homicides per 100,000 residents in the late 1960s.

In an effort to deter crime, organizations throughout the city provide recreational opportunities for youths, which are designed to keep them off the streets.

Erica Garner encouraged her 11-year-old son to attend one of the recreational programs so he would stay out of trouble. Unfortunately, the Detroit mom was killed by two teens on her way to pick him up.

[Image via Linda Parton/Shutterstock]

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