GRAND RAPIDS TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Two men have been charged in connection to a shooting that left one man dead in Byron Township on Tuesday.
The shooting resulted in the death of 50-year-old Joseph Wilder.
The Kent County Sheriff’s Office says Rhishy Manning, 22, and Jaheim Hayes-Goree, 20, were arraigned Friday afternoon on the following charges:
- Felony murder
- Felony firearms
- Conspiracy to commit armed robbery
Both men had their bonds denied.
Deputies say they also arrested a third suspect Thursday night, described as a 23-year-old man from Grand Rapids.
Court documents stated that on Tuesday, May 24, at 10:33 p.m., both men approached a vehicle from behind at Huntington Bank on Division Avenue. Within one minute, one of the men shot the driver, Joseph Wilder.
A witness observed the fatal shooting and told Kent County deputies that they heard two shots and saw sparks shoot out from the gun.
During the investigation, law enforcement in the area was on high alert about a string of robberies that happened in Kent County, and a stolen white Audi was involved in the incidents.
At 2:15 a.m. the next day, Walker police spotted the white Audi and attempted a traffic stop. However, the vehicle crashed and the men inside jumped out and fled.
But, two were quickly apprehended and taken into custody.
Friday, both Manning and Hayes-Goree went before Judge Sara Smolenski and learned of their charges.
"You’re charged with felony murder," she said. "They’re saying that while in the perpetration or attempted perpetration of a robbery you murdered a person by the name of Joseph Wilder. It’s a felony Mr. Hayes Goree with the possible penalty of life imprisonment without parole."
She said the same to Manning.
Both will return to court on June 10 for their probable cause hearings and June 17 for their preliminary hearings.
The shooting is still under investigation.
READ MORE: Family remembers Joe Wilder as a man who had strong faith and showed it as choir director
