Authorities have released doorbell footage showing two suspects posing as energy workers before allegedly killing a 72-year-old jewelry store owner at his home in Detroit, a city in Michigan, US. The suspects, dressed in high-visibility vests and face masks as seen in the footage, visited the house in Rochester Hills on Thursday at approximately 10 pm.
Oakland County sheriff Michael Bouchard posted a picture of one of the suspects and released the doorbell video on the social media platform X on Saturday, writing, “Here is a picture of one of our homicide suspects. Even though they are attempting to conceal their faces and identity, it’s likely that if you know this person, you will recognize them even with the mask. A reward is possible. Either call our office or 1-800-SPEAKUP.”
“We’re DTE, we’re checking for gas leaks,” one of the men says in the video as he shows his clipboard to the camera, while the other suspect seems to be standing guard. DTE Energy is a diversified energy company based in Detroit, Michigan, engaged in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services across the country.
Bouchard identified the victim as Hussein Murray, who owned a jewelry business in Wayne County. Murray’s wife was also attacked and found tied up with duct tape. She has since been discharged from the hospital.
According to the police, the suspects initially failed to gain entry on Thursday. They returned on Friday at around noon and were let in by Murray, who took them to the basement to check for a gas leak. Murray’s wife said she assumed he had been kidnapped when he didn’t return.
Upon arriving at the scene, police found Murray’s wife tied up and discovered Murray’s body in the basement. Bouchard, as quoted by the New York Post, said, “We’re not sure of the cause, because quite frankly there was so much blood.” Authorities are still unsure if Murray was shot or suffered blunt force trauma. It also remains unclear if any items were stolen from the house.
The investigation in the case is ongoing.
Police are searching for two men driving a white pickup truck with orange cones. One suspect, described as thin and Black, is still at large, while the other, described as heavier and Latino, has been apprehended in Shreveport, Louisiana.
“These suspects should be considered dangerous,” Bouchard warned. He also urged residents to be cautious of unexpected visitors claiming to be from utility companies and to request identification.
DTE Energy also advised customers to verify the identity of workers by calling their customer service.
“Our hearts go out to the victims of this horrific and tragic event,” DTE said in a statement. “We hope the perpetrators are quickly apprehended and brought to justice.”