Inset: Zachary Fuqua (Macomb County Jail/WDIV/YouTube). Background: Law enforcement respond to a home on Sterling Street in Warren, Michigan (WDIV/YouTube).
In a harrowing incident in Michigan, a man reportedly shot his girlfriend in the back of the head while her children were present, and then handed them candy before leaving, according to law enforcement. The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Zachary Fuqua, now faces charges of second-degree murder, as indicated by Macomb County jail records reviewed by Law&Crime.
The victim, 38-year-old Erika Sanders, was allegedly killed by Fuqua on a Tuesday, as reported by WDIV, an NBC affiliate based in Detroit. The grim details of the incident have shocked the community and raised questions about Fuqua’s mental state in the days leading up to the tragedy.
Social media activity from Fuqua’s account prior to the shooting suggested he may have been dealing with personal turmoil. Notably, on March 14, a post ominously stated, “Going out with a bang,” which now seems chilling in retrospect.
Three days following this post, Sanders was at her residence on Sterling Street in Warren, a suburb approximately 20 miles north of Detroit. At the time, three of her four children were present, officials noted.
According to authorities, around 5:30 p.m., Fuqua allegedly carried out the fatal shooting in front of the children. Before fleeing the scene, he reportedly interacted with the kids, leaving them with candy—a detail that adds a disturbing layer to an already tragic event.
At about 5:30 p.m., Fuqua allegedly shot Sanders in the back of her head in front of her kids. He fled the home, but not before acknowledging the children present, according to authorities.
“The defendant had no qualms with shooting his significant other in the back of the head in the presence of three minor children,” Jonathan Mycek, Assistant Macomb County prosecutor, said, according to a WDIV recording of court proceedings. “As he left the house, he gave the children candy, saying, ‘Here y’all babies go.’”
Police reportedly arrived at the home to find Sanders lying face down. Officers caught up with Fuqua nearby and arrested him.
A judge ordered the defendant to be held in the Macomb County Jail with no bond. He is scheduled to return to court on April 1.
