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Man charged with murder after shooting car crash victim in the face

A man has been charged with murder after he shot a teenager car crash victim in the face. Theodore Wafer, 42, is believed to have shot Renisha McBride, 19, after the teen knocked on his door at 4:40am on November 2nd seeking help after being involved in a minor car crash. 

The court heard that Mr Wafer had feared Ms McBride was breaking into his home and discharged his weapon by accident. The case has since sparked racial tension within the local community.

On Friday, Wafer appeared in Michigan District Court in Dearborn Heights on Friday, where District Court Judge Mark Plawecki set his bail at $250,000.

It is believed that Ms McBride was under the heavy influence of drink and drugs when she was involved in the crash. According to the Wayne County medical examiners’ office, Ms McBride had a blood alcohol content of 0.218 per cent, which is nearly triple the 0.08 per cent legal limit for driving in Michigan. She was also found to have marijuana in her system.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said on Friday that she would charge Wafer with second-degree murder and manslaughter. He is also being charged with possession of a firearm during the attempted commission of a felony. 

Evidence shows that there is no indication of Ms McBride breaking into the home, and that she knocked on the locked screen door. 

According to The Toronto Sun, Ms McBride’s family believe that the shooting may have sparked from a racial incident. Demonstrations have taken place outside Dearborn Heights police station, with voices from the community associating this case with what happened to Trayvon Martin.

Martin was shot dead by neighbourhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman last year in Florida.

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