Suspect Arrested After Double Homicide at Shelby Township Auto Shop Friday Afternoon
SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN | November 8, 2025 — The tight-knit community of Shelby Township remains shaken after a double homicide at Star Auto Sales, located on Ryan Road near Auburn Road, claimed the lives of two men on Friday afternoon. Police have since confirmed that a suspect connected to the tragic event was arrested early Saturday morning at a hotel in Romulus, near Detroit Metro Airport.
According to the Shelby Township Police Department, officers were dispatched to the auto shop around 12:28 p.m. Friday following reports of gunfire. When they arrived, they discovered two men fatally injured inside the business. The victims were identified as a 48-year-old man from Clinton Township and a 40-year-old man from Shelby Township. Their names have not yet been publicly released pending notification of next of kin.
Emergency medical personnel pronounced both victims deceased at the scene. Evidence markers, yellow police tape, and squad cars soon filled the lot of the otherwise quiet commercial strip. Investigators immediately began collecting shell casings, reviewing surveillance footage, and interviewing witnesses in the surrounding area.
By 5:45 a.m. Saturday, after working through the night, officers from Shelby Township, assisted by Romulus Police, Michigan State Police, Sterling Heights Police, Utica Police, and the FBI, executed a search warrant at a hotel in Romulus, where they arrested the suspect without incident. Authorities confirmed that evidence tied to the shooting was recovered from the hotel room.
Police have not yet released the name of the suspect, citing pending arraignment, but confirmed that more information will be shared during a scheduled press conference on Tuesday, November 11.
The double tragedy unfolded at Star Auto Sales, a small independent car dealership known locally for its used vehicle inventory and longtime ties to the Shelby community. Witnesses said the incident appeared sudden and chaotic.
Yousif Qachi, an employee at a nearby business, described the scene moments after the shooting. “I saw a lot of cops. A lot of people running toward the plaza. Everyone was asking what happened,” he said. “I heard that two people were gone over there. Maybe over a car, maybe over money. It’s just crazy. You don’t expect that to happen in a place like this.”
Another witness shared that surveillance footage showed a person dressed in black and wearing a white surgical mask walking toward the business shortly before shots were fired. Police are reviewing the video to confirm whether that individual is connected to the case.
Although the motive behind the shooting remains unclear, investigators are exploring whether the violence stemmed from a dispute related to a vehicle sale or financial disagreement. Officers have not disclosed whether the victims or the suspect were known to each other before the incident.
The tragedy has sent waves of grief through both Clinton Township and Shelby Township, where the victims were well-known among family and friends. Residents have left flowers and candles outside the auto shop, turning the parking lot into a small makeshift memorial.
“This is heartbreaking for our community,” said Shelby Township Police Chief Robert Shelide. “We want to assure the public that this was not a random act of violence. Our officers worked tirelessly to identify and apprehend the suspect. We’re thankful for the cooperation between multiple law enforcement agencies that helped us bring this person into custody so quickly.”
Chief Shelide emphasized that the case remains active, and detectives are now focusing on establishing a complete timeline of events and determining the exact motive. “We owe it to the victims and their families to uncover the full truth,” he added.
The Shelby Township Police Department also thanked several partner agencies, including Sterling Heights, Utica, Romulus, Michigan State Police, and the FBI, for their collaboration during the manhunt and arrest.
Community members, shocked by the rare act of violence, are expressing condolences online and calling for peace. Many described both victims as hardworking men who were simply doing their jobs when tragedy struck.
Authorities plan to release more detailed updates during Tuesday’s press conference. Meanwhile, the investigation remains ongoing, and police urge anyone with additional information to come forward.
As the community waits for answers, two families now face the devastating reality of life without their loved ones. The small corner of Ryan Road where Star Auto Sales stands has become a place of mourning — a reminder of how quickly lives can change, and how deeply tragedy can ripple through an entire town.
