A 19-year-old Black Michigan teen received a sentence after fatally shooting an armed man during a July 3 shooting at Fairlane Town Center in Dearborn.
Wayne County prosecutors determined that Martinez Long acted in self-defense and in defense of others when he shot and killed Cameron Watkins, also 19. Court records show the mall chaos erupted following an initial confrontation between Watkins and 19-year-old Keonte Seaborn.
Investigators say Watkins retrieved a firearm from a woman’s purse, fatally shot Seaborn, wounded another bystander, and continued firing recklessly before Long drew his weapon to end the threat.
Long, however, did not have a concealed-carry permit for the firearm he brought into the mall, as reported by FOX 2 Detroit. The teen received two years of probation Tuesday.
The judge acknowledged that Long’s actions legally qualified as self-defense or defense of others. However, he questioned why he brought a gun into the shopping center in the first place.
“I know there was a gun fight at the Fairlane mall, and the lawyers have agreed, according to this court’s evaluation, that you were acting in self-defense or the defense of others, so that’s a valid legal defense,” the judge said. “Why did you walk into the mall with a gun in the first place?”
The judge also criticized Long’s decision to carry the weapon despite the circumstances ultimately leading to its use.
“Fortunately, you weren’t injured, but nonetheless, you had a gun there in the first place, which was poor judgment,” the judge said. “And what do you need a gun for protection in a mall, in the first place?”
Still, the judge determined that the agreement reached in the case was appropriate.
“Nonetheless, I think this agreement is in the best interest of justice,” he said.
Long’s defense attorney maintained that her client did not initiate the confrontation. They claim he only drew his weapon after the violence had escalated.
“He didn’t instigate the fight. He didn’t start the fight, and he did pull it out for protection of others.”
Long did not address the court himself because of the possibility of a future civil liability case.
Because Michigan law requires people to be 21 to obtain a concealed pistol license, prosecutors could charge Long only with the weapons offense.
As part of his two-year probation, Long must complete cognitive behavioral therapy. He also must participate in court-approved handgun safety classes and stay away from guns and ammunition. He has no prior criminal record and is currently working toward his GED.
Long is eligible to have the conviction removed from his record under Michigan’s Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA). The law allows qualifying offenders ages 18 to 26 to avoid a permanent criminal record upon completing their sentence.
The judge underscored Long’s age as a primary factor in offering a path toward a clean record.
“This gives you a clean slate. You’re only 19 years of age,” the judge said. “More of your life’s ahead of you than behind you. So hopefully, you know, this won’t prevent you from advancing as you move forward.”
