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Alleged FSU Gunman Identified and Charged with Attempted Murder

Posted at 12:04 PM, Feb 02, 2014
and last updated 2014-02-04 09:14:17-05

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – Officials have identified the alleged Ferris State University gunman as 20-year-old Decory Demarco Downing. Investigators say Downing is not an FSU student and believe he is from the Mt. Clemens area. Downing is charged with attempted murder and felony firearm charges. Investigators say Downing was cooperative once arrested, but has not wanted to talk.

Ferris State University Department of Public Safety Director Bruce Borkovich says investigators believe this shooting early Saturday morning is an isolated incident, saying they do not believe Downing knew the victim, a male FSU student. Borkovich says another woman, whose identity has not been released, is also in custody at the Mecosta County Jail. Borkovich adds that authorities believe the handgun Downing fired was found in a vehicle that belongs to this woman. Officials say this vehicle was near the Finch Court apartments where Downing was arrested late Saturday night.

Officials say the FSU student who was shot is expected to recover; he has since been treated and released from a Grand Rapids hospital. Borkovich says preliminary investigation shows Downing fired one shot; the bullet hit the student’s arm, then traveled and hit his stomach. As of now, officials are not releasing the identity of the victim.

Downing has a criminal history with the Macomb County Sheriff Department. Criminal records show he was charged with one misdemeanor count of disturbing the peace in September 2010, and one misdemeanor count of assault in January 2012.

The Mecosta County Sheriff’s Department says Downing’s arraignment date is not set, but believe he will be arraigned Monday, February 3 in the afternoon.