4 Charged In Murder Of Michigan Corrections Officer

Detroit, MI – A multi-state investigation has resulted in the arrest of four suspects accused of murdering off-duty Wayne County Corrections Officer Devante Jones last year.

In addition to capturing the alleged killers, Detroit police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Michigan State Police (MSP) also successfully confiscated 10 firearms, WXYZ reported.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced Wednesday that first-degree murder and felony firearm charges have been filed against 27-year-old Kevin Bernard White, 22-year-old Christion Bernard White, 19-year-old Gregory Freeman, and 22-year-old Malikk Cameron Williams, according to MLive.

The 23-year-old corrections officer came under fire as he was dropping someone off near Chrysler Service Drive and East Forest at approximately 4:12 a.m. on Sept. 20, 2021, Deadline Detroit reported.

Corrections Officer Jones jumped out of his vehicle to try to avoid being hit, but was shot multiple times in the process, police said.

He was rushed to Detroit Receiving Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds at approximately 4:48 a.m., WDIV reported.

Detroit police confirmed for the first time in October that Corrections Officer Jones was specifically targeted in the attack, WXYZ reported.

Worthy said additional facts and evidence about what occurred “will be placed on the record in court,” according to MLive.

Kevin White, Freeman, and Williams were all arraigned on Dec. 23, 2021.

Christion White’s arraignment was held on Dec. 29, 2021.

The four suspects are all due back in court for probable cause conferences on Jan. 13, MLive reported.

Corrections Officer Jones began serving the WCSO Jail Division One in 2019, according to Deadline Detroit.

He left behind a young child, and had another baby on the way when he was murdered.

His second child was due to be born in November.

“I’ve worked with this gentleman. I know this gentleman. It hits different when it’s home,” Detroit Police Corporal Robin Hornbuckle told WXYZ in October. “We’re trying to move towards closure for the family. It’s sad. It is very emotional.”

WCSO Captain Reid Chakrabarty said he trained Corrections Officer Jones, according to The Detroit News.

Capt. Chakrabarty said the young corrections officer was dependable and always willing to work overtime shifts – traits his supervisors especially appreciated due to the agency’s current staffing shortage.