Three Charged in Non-Fatal Stabbing at Detroit Lounge
Published on February 06, 2026
Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Bernard Jamal Ware, 34, of Mason City, Iowa, Brittany Lynn Smith, 35, of Detroit, and Janorris Germaine Hopkins, 42, of Oak Park, in connection with the non-fatal stabbing of a 24-year-old man, of Highland Park.
On January 4, 2026, at approximately 1:05 a.m., Detroit police officers were dispatched to a lounge in the 15900 block of Grand River Avenue, for a reported stabbing. Upon their arrival, officers located the victim in the passenger seat of a vehicle in the parking lot of the lounge, suffering from multiple stab wounds. Medics arrived on the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital for treatment.
It is alleged that a verbal altercation between the defendants and the victim escalated to a physical altercation. It is then alleged that Defendant Ware and Defendant Smith produced knives and stabbed the victim multiple times, non-fatally injuring him, before fleeing the scene.
Bernard Jamal Ware has been charged with Assault with Intent to Murder and Felonious Asssault.*
Defendant Ware has not yet been arraigned. He is currently in Iowa and arrangements are being made for his extradition. An update will be released when he is returned to Michigan, and an arraignment date is confirmed.
Brittany Lynn Smith has been charged with Assault with Intent to do Great Bodily Harm.* Janorris Germaine Hopkins has been charged with Felonious Assault and Felony Firearm.*
Defendant Hopkins was arraigned on January 28, 2026, in 36th District Court and received a $100,000 personal bond with a GPS tether. Defendant Smith was arraigned on January 30, 2026, in 36th District Court and received a $50,000 cash/surety bond. Their Probable Cause Conference was held this morning before Judge Ronald Giles. Their Preliminary Examination is scheduled for February 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., before Judge Ronald Giles.
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.
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