Detroit man arrested after 2-hour standoff with police charged with murder, mutilation

Michael Lovell-J Knox, 39, of Detroit.

A Detroit man has been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of an individual in his 20s who was reported missing in October.

Michael Lovell-J Knox, 39, is accused of killing Christian Epps, 27, after the two got into a fight at a home on the city's north side.

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Knox appeared before a judge in the 36th District Court on Friday. He was remanded to custody after Magistrate Delphia Burton denied bond.

The arraignment happened after charges were announced in a news release from the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. 

He was charged with second-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, mutilation of a dead body, and two counts of felony firearm. 

Knox was initially arrested on Nov. 17 after a standoff with police at a residence on Glenfield Avenue.

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The victim was first reported missing on Oct. 30 by his mother.

According to police, both Epps and Knox were at a home in the 19300 block of Fleming Street when the two got into a physical altercation. It escalated to the point that Knox produced a shotgun and killed Epps.

Knox then allegedly disposed of the victim's body at a different location.

Police found Epps' body was found nearby in a vacant lot. Two weeks later, an investigation by police led officers to a home in the 12100 block of Glenfield Avenue where Knox barricaded himself inside.

The department's special response team was activated and eventually took Knox into custody after a two-hour standoff.

What's next:

Knox will be back in court on Dec. 3 for a probable cause conference. His preliminary exam is scheduled for Dec. 10. 

The Source: A news release from the Wayne County Prosecutors Office.

Crime and Public SafetyDetroit