Zachary Holston III (PHOTO — MACOMB COUNTY JAIL)
A former Oakland County reserve police officer was charged Tuesday in the fatal shooting of his half-sister in the parking lot of a family-owned business in Sterling Heights.
Zachary Holston III, was arraigned on second degree murder and felony firearm charges in 41A District Court in Shelby Township. He is being held in the Macomb County Jail on a $500,000 bond set by Magistrate Jim Verploeg.
“It appears a felony firearm and at least some sort of homicide conviction is likely,” Verploeg said in explaining his rationale in setting the bond.
Holston is accused in the shooting death of his half-sister, Rita Evans of Macomb Township, following a heated argument over business records about 9 a.m. Friday outside of Regal Palace on 19 Mile Road, just east of Mound Road.
Holston, 50, of Farmington Hills, was arrested at the scene and has cooperated with investigators, according to Sterling Heights police.
Police initially said there was a shootout between the two people, prosecutors now say Holston pulled out his weapon first and fired at the victim as she was retrieving a gun from her purse. The incident was captured on two video cameras attached to the building.
Prosecutors said as Holston was leaving the family business and walking to his car when he was approached by the victim, her husband and daughter. As he was getting into his vehicle, the three approached the passenger side door where a physical altercation took place over paperwork located in the vehicle.
There seemed to be a discrepancy in what happened next.
A press release by the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office said Holston took out his is firearm and the victim drew her gun. They exchanged gunfire and the victim was later pronounced dead at the hospital, the release stated.
But in court, Macomb County Assistant Prosecutor Steve Fox said Evans’ daughter was trying to get in between the two relatives when Holston pushed her away. Holston then pulled out his gun “when Rita had no gun at all in her hand” pointed the weapon at her while she was reaching for the gun in self defense, and shot her before she was able to raise her weapon and fire a shot.
“In our estimation, the defendant was clearly the instigator and did not have a legitimate self defense claim,” Fox said.
Defense attorney Gerald Evelyn said there were “multiple shots fired by more than one person” and Holston tried to avoid any kind of confrontation.
“It’s pretty clear this was not a situation where the defendant was looking for something to happen,” he said. “It happened in a moment on an impulse.”
The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office later said given the number of shell casings found in the parking lot — 15 shots — that it appeared both parties had fired their weapons.
Police: Sterling Heights business owner kills sister in a parking lot shootout
Holston, the married father of two adult children, was a former reserve police officer for the Detroit and Royal Oak Township police department, according to defense attorney. Friday’s incident was first time in 30 years that Holston had drawn his weapon, he said.
Rita Evans, the mother of two adult children, also worked at Regal Palace, which relatives said is a chemical company that makes hand soap and other items.
The siblings each carried handguns because of their affiliation with the business.
According to Michigan corporation records, Holston is listed as the resident agent of Regal Palace. The company was formed in December 2008, records show.
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in a statement “this is not the way for family to settle family business.
“All disputes must be settled civilly between parties in or out of the courtroom, not on the streets. The loss of a life is always a profound tragedy, and it is especially disheartening when it occurs within the bonds of family. We extend our deepest condolences to the families affected by this devastating event, as they navigate through an unimaginable grief and loss that no words can adequately express,” Lucido said.
If Holston is able to make bond, he must wear a GPS tether with home confinement, undergo a mental health evaluation, and have no contact with the victim’s family or business.
A probable cause hearing is scheduled for Thursday, June 8 and a preliminary hearing will be held June 15.
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