Charges filed in South Bend murder, victim identified

The St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office has filed murder charges in the death of a man whose body was found at Main and Colfax streets in South Bend Tuesday evening.

Michael Young, 69, faces one count of murder in the death of 27-year-old Markest Tyrone Flowers.

An autopsy was conducted and Flowers' cause of death was a gunshot wound.

According to the probable cause affidavit, witnesses saw Young and Flowers engaged in a conversation.

Then witnesses said Flowers was walking back and forth in the street holding a cup and wearing a backpack.

Witnesses told police Young was following Flowers closely and talking to him.

Suddenly, Young grabbed Flowers' backpack and spun him around, witnesses told police.

Young then allegedly raised a gun to Flowers' face and pulled the trigger, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Flowers then fell to the ground.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Young was taken into custody and had two handguns in his possession, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Police said multiple witnesses who were not involved in the incident gave similar accounts of the incident.

Young allegedly admitted to shooting Flowers, but said he was surprised when the gun went off.

Young also claimed Flowers threatened him, but said Flowers did not have a weapon and did not attempt to engage Young physically, according to the probable cause affidavit.