Suspect arraigned in shooting of transgender woman

Detroit — Police have a suspect in custody in connection to the Monday shooting of a transgender woman at a gas station on the city's west side, Detroit Police Chief James Craig said Saturday.

Deonton A. Rogers, 29, was arraigned in 34th District Court in Romulus Saturday on charges of firearm discharge causing a serious injury, felonious assault, felony firearm, felon in possession of a fire arm, child abuse in the fourth degree and ethnic intimidation based upon gender. Rogers' bond was set at $2 million.

"Great work by our team, particularly our 12th precinct special operations... who relentlessly follow up on tips we were getting from the community," Craig said. "That suspect has been taken into custody without incident."

The incident occurred at 8:05 p.m. Monday when a 29-year-old transgender woman was shot in the shoulder at the Mobil gas station on the 15400 block of West Seven Mile, police said. 

According to the prosecutor's office, Rogers allegedly approached the victim in the gas station and made a lewd remark to her. 

When he was informed by the victim that she is a transgender woman he engaged in an verbal argument with her about her sexual orientation until Rogers allegedly pulled a gun from his waistband.  As the victim struggled with him over the weapon, it is alleged that Rogers shot the victim in the shoulder, according to the prosecutor's office.   

Rogers fled in his car leaving his 27-year-old companion at the station, but her child remained in the rear of the car. The child was later found unharmed, officials said. 

srahal@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @SarahRahal_