OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — Three suspects are in custody after a 19-year-old was found dead in Commerce Township.
Police found Andre Sontay Avant, Jr., from Inkster, on Monday, Feb. 16, near a boat launch in the Proud Lake Recreation Area on Wixom Road.
He died of a gunshot wound, police said.
The suspects, all 19 years old, were arrested Thursday, Feb. 19, an Oakland County Sheriff’s Office press release said.
Investigators didn’t find a connection between the victim, the suspects or the community where the victim’s body was found, police said.
“At this time, we have reason to believe the victim was brought to the area and murdered,” said Sheriff Michael Bouchard in the release. “It is deeply troubling to see individuals place so little value on human life. This was a senseless and brutal act.”
Two suspects are from Romulus and one is from Taylor. Two of the suspects were arrested in Romulus while the third was arrested in Garden City after he attempted to flee, the release said.
The sheriff’s office worked with members of the Special Investigations Unit, Computer Crimes Unit, Fugitive Apprehension Team, Commerce Township substation and Crime Scene Unit to identify the suspects.
The suspects are expected to be charged as early as Monday, Feb. 23, the release said.