Rene Miguel Zambrana (Westland police)
WESTLAND, Mich. (FOX 2) - A man accused of shooting and killing a Salvation Army bell ringer as he collected donations outside a Westland Kroger store is set to face a judge Monday.
Rene Miguel Zambrana, 37, of Detroit, is charged with first-degree murder and felony firearm for the shooting of 47-year-old Alvin Leon Echols on Thursday.
The backstory:
Authorities say Zambrana shot and killed Echols at the store on Ford Road near Central City around 6:20 p.m. Thursday. When officers arrived at the store, they found the victim near the self-checkout area suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said Echols was shot near the Salvation Army kettle outside the store, but ran inside, where he collapsed.
'I’ll never get over that:' Mom of Kroger shooting victim sounds off on heartbreaking tragedy
The heartbroken mother of a gunned-down Salvation Army bell ringer is wondering how someone could have so much hate in their heart to take the life of a man working to help those in need this holiday season.
Zambrana, who knew Echols, fled on foot, but was caught early Friday.
"As often is the case actual facts emerge that are not a part of the original narrative. It is extremely unfortunate that the focus has been that a Salvation Army volunteer was randomly murdered during the holiday season. The evidence will show that this was likely a complicated interpersonal relationship dispute. These allegations are nonetheless extremely tragic and criminal," said Prosecutor Kym Worthy,
It is unclear what led to the shooting.
The Source: This information is from the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.
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