Warren, Center Line

Men face terrorism charge for allegedly threatening police

By Brian Louwers
C & G Staff Writer

WARREN – Warren police allege Richard William Walker posted on Facebook about needing “tru soldiers” to “kill more cops.” They said his buddy, Brandon Michael Davis, posted, “we really need more cop killers like for real,” followed by expletives aimed at police and the court system.

Both men – Walker of Warren, 18, and Davis of Center Line, 20 – were arrested in January and charged with possessing an illegal short-barreled rifle, a five-year felony. They were also charged with resisting arrest and a misdemeanor charge of making an Internet threat, punishable by up to six-months in jail.

And both found themselves back before a judge for a preliminary examination Feb. 14, where prosecutors instead upped the charges leveled against them to include a threat-of-terrorism allegation that carries a 20-year prison sentence.

Warren Police Commissioner Jere Green said Walker and Davis were arrested during a raid at Walker’s father’s home on Ford south of Nine Mile near Mac Arthur Jan. 18.

Green said the raid came three days after police received an anonymous tip about threats posted to Facebook. 
He said photos captured from Facebook by investigating officers appeared to show Davis wearing a ski mask posing with a semi-automatic rifle. Another appeared to show Davis with the words “cop killer” – not a tattoo, but written in marker – on his bicep.

Walker can be seen in another post wearing what looks like a gas mask holding a weapon.

Further investigation revealed Walker was pulled over by Warren police in January and that his vehicle was towed, the day before the alleged threats were made.

Police sought a search warrant, raided the home on Ford and found a cache of weapons, ammunition and a large amount of fireworks. Green said items seized by officers included an illegal shortened rifle, at least one legal assault-style rifle, another rifle with a bayonet, a shotgun, a handgun and pistol crossbows.

“Based on all these things going on – the shootings, the school shootings – related to gun violence, we took that threat seriously and considered it a threat not only to police officers but to the general public,” Green said. “We took the appropriate steps to eliminate the threat.”

At press time, Walker and Davis remain charged with resisting arrest and the weapons offense, but the prosecutor asked Judge Matthew Sabaugh to amend the Internet threat allegation to a threat-of-terrorism charge under Michigan law, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Sabaugh set bonds for both men at $500,000 cash or surety and they remained in the Macomb County Jail ahead of a preliminary hearing on the new and previous charges, rescheduled for 8:45 a.m. Feb. 28.

Defense attorney Brian Selburn, representing Walker, could not be reached for comment Feb. 15. Attorney Warren McAlpine, representing Davis, declined an opportunity to discuss the case pending a review of the evidence.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Brian Louwers at brianlouwers@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1089.