A 25-year-old Clarkston man was arraigned in 52 District Court on Oct. 19 on felony charges after allegedly shooting his friend in the abdomen the day before.
Dominic Demetrius French faces up to nine years in prison on charges of felonious assault, reckless discharge of a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm and two counts of firearm possession during the commission of a felony, according to Lt. Dale LaBair of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Independence Township substation.
Reportedly, French went drinking with a friend from Battle Creek to celebrate French’s passing of a test to enter the military. As stated in the report, French drove his wife’s vehicle home from the bar striking another vehicle at some point, causing damage.
Upon returning home, French, upset over the incident, retrieved a .22 caliber rifle resulting in the shooting of his friend.
Statements from French and his wife allege the victim held the gun to his stomach.
The victim was transported to Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc and underwent surgery. After surgery, the victim stated to police he and French did not fight over the gun, did not believe French intended to shoot him and he never held the barrel to his body.
According to Oakland County Sheriff Detective Lonnie Mullins, bond was set at $250,000 with no cash sureties. Mullins also said French was already on probation for larceny from a person.