Detroit Man Convicted by Jury for 2021 Murder of Kentuckian in Social Media Marketplace Ambush

LANSING – On Friday, a Wayne County jury in the 3rd Circuit Court convicted on all counts Davontae Eshawn Long, 31, of Detroit, for a 2021 murder, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Long was charged by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office in 2021 with six felonies, including Murder, Carjacking, and multiple firearm offenses. The case was investigated by the Detroit Police Department and the Violent Crimes Task Force, and the Department of Attorney General conducted the prosecution at trial. 

On December 9th, 2021, the victim, age 28, drove from his home in Louisville, Kentucky to Detroit to complete a pre-arranged purchase of a pull-behind vehicle trailer. The sale was arranged by Long via Facebook Marketplace. When the victim arrived, Long pulled the man from his vehicle, a Cadillac Escalade, and fatally shot him in the back, before leaving with the Cadillac and all of the victim’s possessions, including a .45 caliber handgun.   

“Both buyers and sellers should exercise extreme caution when arranging private online marketplace sales, especially when traveling long distances to places they are unfamiliar with,” said Nessel. “This was a tragic and brutal ambush, and I am grateful for the jury’s service in handing down these significant verdicts.” 

Long was convicted of the following felony offenses: 

• One count of Felony Murder, an offense carrying a mandatory sentence of life without parole;
• One count of Carjacking, a potential life-sentence felony;
• One count of Felon in Possession of a Handgun, a felony punishable by up to 5 years’ incarceration; and
• Three counts of Felony Firearm, a mandatory 2-year incarceration sentence. 

Long will appear for sentencing on July 18th before Judge Michael Hathaway in the 3rd Circuit Court at 9:00 a.m.

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