Former Michigan State basketball star arrested for shooting

Arguments between family members often escalate quickly.  This is just a fact of life regardless of who one is or their station in life. Unfortunately, escalation sometimes means someone gets a gun. This is what, allegedly, one ex-Michigan State basketball star, Keith Appling, did.  He allegedly shot a relative in connection with a dispute.

The incident

According to the Detroit Police Department, the shooting occurred just after 7:00 p.m. on Saturday. The 66-year-old shooting victim was killed in the front yard of his house at the 13200 block of Whitcomb. Police claim that they found a gun in the front yard next to a Michigan State University hat. According to witnesses, they said they heard multiple gunshots and went outside to see what was happening. At that time, the witnesses alleged that they saw Keith Appling with that gun in his hand. Though, they did not actually see Appling shoot his relative.

The manhunt

After Appling left the scene, the DPD began a manhunt for him, and he was subsequently arrested by the Michigan State Police’s fugitive team without incident. He was then handed over to DPD and a warrant was issued by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.

A troubled youth

Prior to these unproven allegations, Appling was a MSU basketball star from 2010 to 2014. However, this is not his first run-in with the law. Last October, he pleaded guilty to a drug charge and received 18 months’ probation, which he was given a violation for in February. Before this, in 2017, he pleaded guilty to a weapon’s charge that occurred after a traffic stop. In that case, he received a year in jail and five years’ probation.

What to do next

For Appling and any Michigan resident, including those in Troy, accused of a serious felony charge, a strong criminal defense is needed. While this news looks bad for Appling, everyone should know that no one actually saw what happened, and he is innocent until proven guilty, which is why those accused of a crime need to seek counsel immediately.