A 63-year-old Aurora man has been convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend in Saginaw, Michigan, after an alcohol-infused drive of nearly 300 miles during Memorial Day weekend last year.
According to a report on MLive.com, on Monday a jury found Willie V. Allen guilty of first-degree murder, assault with intent to murder, carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, and five counts of felony firearm.
According to the report, Allen had previously been in a relationship with the victim, 50-year-old Kenya M. Collins of Saginaw, and could not accept that the relationship had ended.
According to the report, at the trial prosecutors detailed how Allen tracked down Collins at a Memorial Day gathering in Saginaw on the evening of May 26, arriving in a black Infinity SUV at about 9:30pm. Allen then retrieved a gun from the trunk, fired a shot outside, and entered the house.
After finding Collins inside, Allen shot her in the arm and also shot a 51-year-old man in the leg, prosecutors stated. Allen then took Collins from the home and left with her in his SUV.
After receiving a 911 call from the residence, police identified the SUV and pulled it over in nearby Buena Vista Township and, after an exchange of gunfire between Allen and police officers, Allen reportedly shot Collins several times, killing her instantly.
Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Blair N. Stevenson was quoted in the MLive.Com report saying “Instead of just breaking up with somebody and getting over it, he drove four hours and forever changed the fates of his life, the victim’s, as well her families’ and friends’. We’re seeing more senseless acts of violence that are hard to predict. Something needs to change. Hopefully this can be a wakeup call for someone reading this.”
The date of Allen’s sentence is pending.
