Man who shot and killed bystander with AK47 pleads guilty

CASS COUNTY, Mich. -- The man who shot and killed 42-year-old Fabian Wesaw outside a bar in Dowagiac in July 2018 pleaded guilty to second degree murder Tuesday morning, according to Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz.

The state dismissed a first degree murder charge as well as assault with intent to murder, carrying a weapon with unlawful intent, possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle and four felony firearm counts.

Rolandis Russell will serve a minimum of 43 years in prison, Fitz said.

Russell admitted to firing an AK 47 13 times at a person he had been in an argument with that night. He shot and killed Wesaw, who was an innocent bystander.

“This plea insures that the defendant pays an extremely serious penalty for the taking of a human life.  The Wesaw family is comforted that justice is being done," Fitz stated in a press release.

Russell will be sentenced on October 25.

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