Security guard killed first day on job in senior apartment double murder

DETROIT (WJBK) - A security guard was killed on his first day on the job when a resident opened fire at a senior living apartment complex in Detroit.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig say 69-year-old James Fleming shot and killed a security guard and a woman around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Phillip C. Sims Senior Apartments on Dickerson Avenue, near Jefferson. 

Police say Fleming had a 30-year-old woman visit him at the complex where he lived and they ingested cocaine. Craig says that's when the suspect allegedly attempted to sexually assault the woman, who fled the location. As she did, she pulled the fire alarm.

RELATED: Security guard, woman dead in shooting at senior apartment complex in Detroit

"It may have saved her life," Craig said.

Family members have identified the murdered security officer as Kenneth Hall and said he was excited about starting a new career. 

Crews were dispatched and determined there was no fire, clearing the location. Meanwhile, the victim escaped the complex, according to officials.

Police say they believe Fleming then left the location and may have gone to car, where he retrieved weapons. He re-entered the building and fired the gun, killing two innocent bystanders -- the security guard, who was in his 50s, and a 66-year-old woman identified by family as Bernice Clark.

Officials say the guard was inside the doorway, while Clark was in the area where they believe food is prepared -- and that she wasn't looking in the shooter's direction.

Police say they believe his intention was to find the sexual assault victim.

"Instead he decided to engage in this cowardly act on these two defenseless victims," Craig said.

Fleming is described as a 69-year-old male, around 6'5" to 6'7", very slim, with a light complexion, short gray hair and was last seen wearing all black. They say at some point there may have been a struggle over ak knife, so he may be suffering a physical injury of some sort.

Police say he is driving a dark blue 2001 Chrysler town and country with the license plate 2E58Y0, with Tennessee plates. 

If you think you've seen the suspect or know anything about the shooting, you're asked to call Detroit Police. Fleming is considered armed and dangerous. 

"He should do himself a favor and just turn himself in," Craig said.

Family of the guard killed have set up a GoFundMe page for donations toward funeral arrangements, click the link to donate.