Detroit man accused of killing retired police officer and leaving his body in park

DETROIT (TCN) — A 30-year-old man has been indicted for allegedly shooting two people, killing a retired Detroit Police Department officer, disposing of his body in a park, and stealing his car.

The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office announced Wednesday, Sept. 18, that Erik Davis is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree home invasion, discharge of a firearm in or at a building, discharge of a firearm in or at a building causing serious impairment, felon in possession of a firearm, and three counts of felony firearm.

According to the prosecutor’s office, on June 30, 2022, at 11:10 a.m., Detroit Police Department officers responded to a shooting call at a home on the 15300 block of Ferguson Street and spoke with a 39-year-old woman, who was not injured. About three hours later, police returned the address for another report of a shooting and found a 47-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the hand. He was taken to the hospital in stable condition. Police arrested Davis that day.

Also on June 30, 2022, Detroit Police filed a missing person report for Steven Hodo, the retired cop. Police said in a statement at the time that Hodo’s car and gun were stolen and that Hodo’s firearm had been used in the shootings on Ferguson Street. Investigators located Hodo’s body in a park over two weeks later on July 14, 2022. Hodo died from sharp force injuries to the head, and his cause of death was ruled a homicide.

The prosecutor’s office alleges Hodo and Davis got into an argument on June 28, 2022, which led to Hodo’s death. Davis allegedly moved Hodo’s body to another location before stealing his car and gun.

Davis is being held in the Wayne County Jail without bond.

MORE: