State Rep. Donni Steele (R-Orion Township) today released the following statement following a shooting and carjacking that left a mother hospitalized and traumatized a young child in Orion Township.

“My heart breaks for this mother, her son, and their entire family. A child should never have to watch his mother be shot in front of him while simply shopping in his own community.

“As more details emerge, what is becoming increasingly clear is that this tragedy may have been preventable.

“According to Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, the suspect was already on probation for a previous violent attack in which he allegedly duct-taped a woman, hog-tied her to a bed, briefly suffocated her, and threatened her with sexual violence. The investigating agency requested an assault-with-intent-to-murder charge, yet the suspect ultimately received a lesser charge and probation rather than prison time.

“That should alarm everyone.

“Cases like this leave many people wondering whether violent offenders are being given too many opportunities while victims and law-abiding families are left to bear the consequences.

“When someone accused of such a brutal and violent attack receives probation rather than prison and is later accused of shooting a mother in front of her young son and stealing her vehicle, it is clear that parts of our criminal justice system are failing the very people they are supposed to protect.

“Public safety must come before leniency for violent criminals. Prosecutors and judges have a responsibility to ensure dangerous offenders face consequences that reflect the severity of their actions and the threat they pose to the community.

“When violent offenders are repeatedly given second chances while innocent people become new victims, something is fundamentally broken. Michigan families deserve a justice system that puts victims and public safety first, and if cases like this continue to happen, major justice reforms are needed.”