The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Police look for homicide suspect in Ypsilanti
John Mark Jeffries suspected of killing man during drug deal
By Sean Delaney, Heritage Newspapers
PUBLISHED: January 11, 2007
Police have identified 27-year-old John Mark Jeffries as the alleged gunman in a deadly December shooting on Dearborn's south side that left one man dead and another seriously injured.
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Jeffries — who is described as a black male, approximately 6 feet tall, weighing 180 pounds with black hair and brown eyes — remains at large. He was last seen in a green Chrysler minivan and is known to frequent the Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township areas.
According to police, Jeffries allegedly shot and killed 33-year-old Gregory Daniel Bradley of Garden City on Dec. 13 during a drug deal at a home in the 4400 block of Kingston bordered by Pelham Road, Outer Drive and the South-field Free-way.
The deal went bad, police said, and Jeffries allegedly shot Bradley twice in the back with a .38-cal. revolver. The Garden City resident was pronounced dead at the scene when officers arrived.
Police believe Bradley met his alleged murderer at a local bar earlier in the evening before heading to the south end home, which was being rented by Dearborn Heights resident Wayne David Slanaker, Jr.
Slanaker, 34, was shot point-blank in the abdomen after he allegedly tried to wrestle the gun away from Jeffries during the incident, police said, and was in critical condition when officers arrived at the home.
The Dearborn Heights resident was transported to Detroit Receiving Hospital, where he underwent surgery for injuries caused by the gunshot wound to his abdomen. He was later released and is expected to recover.
"It's going to take some time — he sustained some very serious injuries," said Sgt. Michael Petri of the Dearborn Heights Police Department Investigative Division.
A Redford resident, later identified as 35-year-old Gregory Louis Romej, was also in the home at the time of the incident, police said, but was able to escape unharmed when the gunman ran out of bullets.
"He's very lucky," said Capt. Gary Tomkiewicz of the DHPD. (The gunman) just didn't have anything left in the gun."
Slanaker and Romej are not expected to face charges for their role in the incident, Tomkiewicz said, but several charges will be filed against the alleged gunman following his arrest.
Those charges include: first degree premeditated murder, first degree felony murder, two counts of assault with intent to murder, felon in possession of a firearm, felony firearm and habitual offender-fourth offense. If convicted, Jeffries could face life in prison.
A second black male — known only as "James" — is also wanted for questioning by police. It's believed that he was an accomplice to the crime, police said. Both men should be considered armed and dangerous.
A warrant has been issued for Jeffries and his alleged accomplice, Tomkiewicz said, and the department is actively pursuing any leads that could lead to their arrest.
Anyone with any information about the incident should contact the Dearborn Heights Police Department at (313) 277-6770 or Crime Stoppers at (800) SPEAK-UP (773-2587).
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