Suspect detained in shooting
By Nick Hiltunen
Published in News on January 6, 2009 1:46 PM
Derrick Best
Police have captured a man wanted since late September for allegedly shooting the girlfriend of a man charged in his brother's death, police said.
Alicia Griffin was shot in the 1700 block of Maple Street on Sept. 24, police Sgt. Chad Callo-way said.
In early October, police an-nounced they sought Derrick Best, 27, of Mimosa Street, with warrants for attempted murder and three counts of discharging a firearm into occupied property, police said.
Ms. Griffin was treated and released for her injuries, but police regarded the gunfire assault as an attempt to kill her, charges show.
Asked if he would describe Ms. Griffin's shooting as "retribution" for the shooting of Eric Lamont Best, the suspect's brother, the sergeant said, "Yes, I would."
The shooting of the suspect's brother and Ms. Griffin occurred within hours, according to police reports.
Eric Lamont Best was shot at 705 Franklin St., the same day as Ms. Griffin, and transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, authorities have said.
Two people were charged in the murder of Eric Lamont Best: Cleveland Ward, 30, of Hereford Drive, and James Saunders, 35, of Woodrose Avenue, authorities said.
Eric Lamont Best had a long criminal record, but investigators said they were not sure if any of those charges or other criminal activity could be connected to his killing.