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Family: Vietnam Vet Shot to Death by 16-Year-Old Boy His Granddaughter Snuck into Detroit Home

 

A 70-year-old Vietnam veteran who lived with his granddaughter in Detroit, Michigan was shot to death early Monday morning after an apparent argument and ensuing struggle over a gun.

Family members confirmed to local news outlets that Jamie Mintz was shot in his home after his granddaughter snuck a 16-year-old male into the home. Fox 2 reported that Mintz told the teen to leave and an argument occurred. Police have said so far that the teen suspect fought with Mintz over the gun. Mintz sustained a gunshot wound to the chest that proved fatal.

The suspect allegedly fled with the weapon. His whereabouts are unknown at this time.  It’s yet to be confirmed whom the gun belonged to or whether it was legally owned.

The argument is said to have begun around 4:38 a.m. on Monday, while the gun is said to have gone off “in the midst of the argument [as] they began to tussle over the weapon.”

Distraught family members said the victim had surveillance cameras inside and outside the home; it remains to be seen if there is footage of the fatal shooting. They said Mintz was “laid-back,” “easy-going,” a “good guy, a good father, a good uncle, a good brother-in-law, a good husband.”

Mintz had recently celebrated his 70th birthday.

[Image via Fox 2 screengrab]

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Matt Naham is the Senior A.M. Editor of Law&Crime.