UPDATE: Westland Man Charged With First-Degree Murder in Death of 18-Year-Old Monica Rokita
We now know much more about what police say happened Sunday evening inside a Westland apartment.
And a 20-year-old Westland man is now facing a first-degree murder charge.
Daniel Jarrett Dean, 20, of Westland, has been charged with Premeditated First-Degree Murder and Felony Firearm in connection with the death of his girlfriend, 18-year-old Monica Rokita.
This is an update to the story Voice of Westland has been following since Sunday.
What prosecutors say happened
Westland Police were called around 6 p.m. Sunday, September 6, to the 36000 block of Hunter Avenue after a report of a shooting.
Officers found Monica unresponsive inside the apartment.
According to prosecutors, Monica had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to her face, arm, chest and stomach. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Prosecutors allege Dean produced a rifle and fired at Monica multiple times before fleeing the apartment.
Westland Police located Dean a short time later and arrested him without incident.
They were living together
Authorities now say Monica and Dean were living together in the apartment at the time of the shooting.
WXYZ reports that Westland Police are describing the shooting as a domestic violence case. Friends told the station they had concerns about the relationship and said Monica and Dean had separated before recently reconnecting.
Monica had just turned 18.
Her friend Myah Moore described her as a sweet young woman with her entire future ahead of her. Friends remembered Monica as someone who was incredibly close with their family, went on family trips with them and shared the ordinary experiences an 18-year-old should have been able to keep having.
What happens next
Dean faces one of the most serious charges available under Michigan law.
First-degree premeditated murder alleges that a killing was intentional and premeditated. Dean is also charged with felony firearm.
He was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon in Westland's 18th District Court.
The charges against Dean are allegations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
There are still questions we don't have answers to, including what prosecutors believe happened immediately before the shooting and what evidence led them to allege the killing was premeditated.
Those answers may begin to come as this case moves through court.
Helping Monica's family
A fundraiser created by Monica's friend is helping her family with funeral and memorial expenses and other costs following her death.
The message on the fundraiser is painfully simple:
“Monica deserved to grow up. She deserved a future. She deserved so much more time.”
Help Monica's Family Through the GoFundMe
Voice of Westland will continue following the criminal case against Dean, including his arraignment, bond and upcoming court dates.
