Mercedes found in connection with 3-year-old's shooting death on Southfield Freeway

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Photo of suspect's car / courtesy Michigan State Police

Michigan State Police say they have a suspect in custody for the shooting death of a 3-year-old boy last week, the same day MSP said they found the suspect vehicle.

The boy was shot in a drive-by shooting on the Southfield Freeway while he was riding in the backseat. Police were looking for a 2014-2016 Mercedes in connection with the shooting. 

On Wednesday MSP said they executed a search warrant in Detroit and found the car they'd been looking for. MSP didn't say for sure though if this is where the shots originated. 

The shooting happened in the northbound lanes near Joy Road at about 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 when another vehicle pulled alongside fired a single shot. The boy, Christian Miller, lovingly known at CJ, was hit between the shoulder blades and died later in the hospital. 

Christian's godmother was driving them, and they were on their way to see Sesame Street Live. She got off the freeway and parked at a BP gas statio and called police. 

Images released last week showed the silver Mercedes. Video taken from the gas station at Joy Road and Southfield show the car on the service drive making a right turn past the station. The driver was described as a light skinned man with a full beard.

Authorities are still looking for the person or persons involved in the shooting. Nobody is in custody right now. 

MSP says they received more than 30 tips so far and are grateful for the help, but are no longer seeking information about the vehicle. 

A $10K reward has been offered for information leading the arrest of a suspect. Anyone with information is asked to contact 855 MICH-TIP or 1-800 SPEAK-UP.