Two Charged in Detroit Fatal Shooting of Hamtramck Man
Published on August 05, 2025
Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Javon Timarious Hawk, 21, of Detroit, and Joseph Lavar Houston, 23, of Sterling Heights, in connection with the fatal shooting of Michael Davis, 23, of Hamtramck. The victim was the cousin of the defendants.
On July 8, 2025, at approximately 3:31 a.m., Detroit police officers were dispatched to an apartment in the 4600 block of East Outer Drive for a reported shooting. Upon their arrival, officers located the victim lying inside the front entrance of the apartment, unresponsive, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Medics arrived on the scene and pronounced the victim deceased.
It is alleged that the defendants produced and fired a handgun multiple times, fatally wounding the victim, before fleeing the scene. Investigation by the Detroit Police Department led to the arrest of Defendant Hawk on July 30, 2025, and the arrest of Defendant Houston on August 4, 2025
Javon Timarious Hawk has been charged with First-Degree Murder and Felony Firearm.* Joseph Lavar Houston has been charged with First-Degree Murder, Felony Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, and Felony Firearm.*
Defendant Hawk was arraigned and remanded to jail on August 3, 2025, in 36th District Court before Magistrate Laura Echartea. His Probable Cause Conference is scheduled for August 11, 2025, at 8:30 a.m., and his Preliminary Examination is scheduled for August 18, 2025, at 1:45 p.m., before Judge Shawn Jacque.
Defendant Houston was arraigned and remanded to jail this morning 36th District Court before Magistrate Jeffrey Kleparek. His Probable Cause Conference is scheduled for August 13, 2025, at 8:30 a.m., and his Preliminary Examination is scheduled for August 20, 2025, at 8:45 a.m., before Judge Shawn Jacque.
Please request a photograph of the defendants from the Detroit Police Department.
*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
#####