Barricaded gunman accused of kidnapping child and killing over BBQ chicken wings had posted low bond for violent crime

29-year-old Deveius Monta Weathers of Eastpointe, Michigan, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 31-year-old Ronnie Charles Ray II. The argument that allegedly precipitated Ray's murder, a police chase, a barricaded gunman situation, and the use of a child as a human shield was over barbequed chicken.

On August 21, Weathers attended a barbeque in Detroit. According to Anna Posigian, Wayne County assistant prosecuting attorney, Weathers became embroiled in an argument with Ray about chicken wings. Around 9:30 p.m., he allegedly "produced a handgun and shot the victim twice and left the scene in his car."

The following day, police tracked Weathers down to a home in the 8490 block of Heyden Street. Despite efforts made by the police to stop him, Weathers again managed to drive away at a "high rate of speed." Police gave chase but were unable to pull him over.

Weathers is said to have scuttled his vehicle on Pierson Street and rushed inside a home in the 8200 block. Taking a 2-year-old he allegedly kidnapped (now believed to be his niece), he barricaded himself upstairs.

Standoff with barricaded gunman ends on Detroit’s west sideyoutu.be

The ensuing standoff with police lasted five-hours. In the negotiations between Weathers and the police, he reportedly offered to trade the 2-year-old for a pack of cigarettes.

In the fifth hour, he exited the home holding the 2-year-old in front of him.

The Detroit Police Department took Weathers into custody. He has been charged by the Wayne County prosecutor's office with first-degree murder, kidnapping, carrying a concealed weapon, third-degree fleeing and eluding, and felony firearm and has been ordered held without bail.

In 2020, Weathers allegedly shot at his girlfriend and mother of his child nine times. He was released after posting a $1,000 bond.

That same year, former Detroit Police Chief James Craig lamented how the violent criminals his officers were routinely detaining were being released back onto the streets. "We arrest these violent criminals, but in so many cases they get a plea deal and go back on the streets to commit more crimes, and then everyone blames the police if crime goes up."

Democrat Wayne County prosecutor Kym L. Worthy told Craig to stop complaining. She defended the release of violent criminals, citing a heavy caseload and too few prosecutors on hand. "We have the largest amount of felony cases in the entire state. We are always chronically understaffed. In a perfect world, I would have 275 [assistant prosecutors]."

According to Neighborhood Scout, on the crime index (with 100 being safest), Detroit has a score of 3, with a crime rate of 22.58 violent crimes per 1,000 residents. The chances of becoming a victim of violent crime in Detroit are 1 in 44.