Detroit man charged with killing niece

A Detroit man has been formally charged in the shooting death of his 42-year-old niece, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office announced Wednesday.

Ira C. Ellis, 57, was charged with killing Katherine Grimes, also a Detroit resident around 10:35 a.m. Sept. 15 at a home in the 15800 block of Winthrop.

Investigators say Ellis shot his niece multiple times with a handgun. Grimes was pronounced dead at the scene. Ellis was arrested at the home.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy charged Ellis with first-degree murder and felony firearm. He was arraigned Sept. 17 in 34th District Court.

A probable cause conference was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Sept. 27 and a preliminary exam Oct. 4, both before Judge Kenneth King of 36th District Court.

Ellis was reportedly told police he was “stressed out” when the shooting occurred at the family’s home.

bwilliams@detroitnews.com

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