Detroit Suspect Charged in Fatal Houston Shooting Over Alleged Drug Scam
A Detroit man has been formally charged with the murder of a woman in Houston, with police alleging the killing was connected to a botched drug deal orchestrated by the victim's husband. The case has drawn significant attention due to its complex web of drug trafficking allegations and violent retribution.
Victim Found in Storage Unit with Multiple Gunshot Wounds
Sherry Dawson, aged 33, was discovered deceased inside a Houston storage unit on November 5th, according to official reports. The Harris County Medical Examiner's office ruled her death a homicide, noting she sustained multiple gunshot wounds to her arms, head, and neck. The grim discovery was made at a self-storage facility, a location that has since become central to the investigation.
Alleged Drug Deal Scam Preceded the Murder
Court documents reveal that Dawson's common-law husband informed investigators he was acquainted with the suspect, Kip Stitts, a 57-year-old Detroit resident, and that both were involved in drug trafficking activities. The husband reportedly stated he introduced Stitts to a cocaine supplier, but when Stitts expressed intentions to rob this supplier, the husband and supplier devised a counter-plan to steal from Stitts instead.
According to police accounts, Stitts paid $125,000 for cocaine that was never delivered, with this incident occurring approximately one month prior to Dawson's killing. The husband has since suggested to authorities that his wife's murder may have been an act of retaliation for this theft, highlighting the dangerous repercussions of the alleged scam.
Surveillance and Digital Evidence Place Suspect at Scene
Security footage from the storage facility reportedly shows Dawson arriving at the location, followed by a driver in a Ford pickup truck. The footage allegedly captures the truck fleeing the scene after the shooting. Additionally, cellphone data cited in court documents places Stitts at Dawson's residence before the incident, at the storage unit on the morning of her death, and in north Detroit afterwards, providing crucial digital evidence linking him to the crime.
Suspect's Criminal History and Current Status
Kip Stitts, who has not been arrested as of recent reports, faces murder charges in connection with Dawson's death. Prosecutors have noted his previous convictions on drug and assault charges, according to court documents. The Houston Police Department continues to investigate the case, with no official comment provided at this time.
The investigation underscores the lethal intersection of drug-related disputes and violent crime, with authorities piecing together a timeline that connects a financial scam to a tragic homicide. As legal proceedings advance, the focus remains on securing justice for the victim and addressing the broader issues of drug trafficking and its associated violence in the community.
