Suspected shooter charged after 7-year-old Pontiac girl killed in drive-by shooting

PONTIAC, Mich. (FOX 2) - A 19-year-old man is facing charges after a 7-year-old girl was killed in Pontiac last seek.

Justin Rouser is charged with first-degree premeditated homicide, five counts of felony firearms, and five counts of assault with intent to murder in connection with the death of the girl.

Rouser was denied bond.

The Oakland County Sheriff's Office said the shooting was gang related. According to authorities, Rouser is a member of a violent street gang called "4-Block."

Justin Rouser (Photo: Oakland County Jail)

At around 4:50 p.m. March 18, 7-year-old Ariah was on her way home from school with her mother, sister, and two cousins, according to police.

Ariah's mother said that she picked up the girls from the bus stop and noticed two men in an older orange Chevrolet Blazer drive by.

She said she picked the girls up, pulled into the driveway of her home near Paddock St. and Wilson Ave., and that was when the orange car pulled up and started firing shots.

Eight shots were fired, authorities said. Ariah was hit in the back of the head. She was taken to the hospital in a patrol car but died a short time later.

Her mother was also grazed by a bullet. Her cousins, who are 6, 7, and 11, were not hurt.

According to the sheriff's office, detectives and agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives tracked Rouser to a home in Troy.

As agents were approaching the home, a vehicle with two men inside drove away, authorities said.

Authorities stopped the vehicle and arrested Rouser, who was wearing a ski mask in the front seat. They also arrested the driver, 21-year-old Daejion Markese Bryant, of Troy.

Daejion Markese Bryant

Bryant, who was on bond for delivery/manufacture of a controlled substance and resisting and obstructing a police officer, is charged with lying to a peace officer during a violent crime investigation. His bond was set at $100,000 cash.

"I am proud of our team and grateful for the assistance of ATF agents as they worked
seamlessly to quickly identify the suspects in this horrific and senseless murder of an innocent child," Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. "The wrong people are afraid in our community. We must make those who carry and use weapons illegally and perpetrate this violence the ones who are fearful of the certainty of long prison time. Children coming home from school should never be afraid. These suspects must be held accountable."

Authorities are still searching for the suspected getaway driver, 17-year-old JaJuan Calvin McDonald. A $10,000 reward is offered for information leading to his arrest.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800- SPEAK UP.