Son of River Rouge councilman charged with murdering his suspected drug dealer

A River Rouge councilman's son was charged Monday in the death of his suspected drug dealer.

Justin Joseph Pruneau, 33, has been charged with open murder and felony firearm in the death of 59-year-old Robert Carson Cook.

It's believed the two men knew each other and both lived in River Rouge, according to the Wayne County prosecutor's office.

It is alleged that around 8:05 p.m. Friday, July 21, Pruneau rode his bicycle to Cook's home on Oak Street, carrying with him a rifle hidden in a garbage bag.

Once inside, police believe Pruneau opened fire

He was arrested later that same day by River Rouge police.

Neighbors of the councilman, along with family friends, are in disbelief.

"I can't picture something like that. Pruneau has always been a good name around here," said Kenneth Maddox, a neighbor of the Pruneau family.

Neighbors say Pruneau had been inside Cooks' home for about 25 minutes.

Then, they saw Pruneau casually get back onto his bike and peddle away.

"Didn't hear a gunshot - didn't hear nothing and then five minutes after that, his roommate came out and said Bob's been shot," Landry said.

Police say Cook had been shot in the abdomen and died on the way to the hospital.

"It's shocking. I can't believe it," another family friend who knows the suspect said.

Sources say Cook, who is a registered sex offender, may have been selling drugs to Pruneau.

Neighbors say Pruneau lived there a couple of years ago.

FOX 2 was unable to reach Pruneau's father for comment..