SAGINAW, MICHIGAN — A Saginaw woman has been charged with assault with intent to murder after allegedly shooting a man six times and then mocking him as he lay injured during a 911 call, according to prosecutors. The woman’s mother, however, claims the shooting was an act of self-defense following years of domestic abuse.
Darnisha M. Sanders, 32, faces multiple felony charges, including a life offense, for the incident that left a 42-year-old man in critical condition.
The Shooting and 911 Call
Police responded to Sanders' home in the 1200 block of Maple Street around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 21, after Sanders herself called 911 to report the shooting.
During the call, prosecutors allege Sanders could be heard making fun of the victim, who was whimpering in the background. She reportedly told the dispatcher that she shot the man because he was antagonizing her and expressed frustration that she had run out of bullets. According to prosecutors, Sanders stated that if she’d had more ammunition, she would have shot off the man’s fingers and toes.
Responding officers found the victim with six gunshot wounds to his head and body. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, with one bullet reportedly still lodged in his head. Police recovered a handgun registered in Sanders' name at the scene.
While being taken into custody, Sanders allegedly repeated her wish that she hadn't run out of ammo and continued to make fun of the victim for crying.
Legal Proceedings and a Claim of Self-Defense
Sanders was arraigned on Tuesday, September 23, before Saginaw County District Judge A.T. Frank. She is charged with assault with intent to murder, discharging a firearm in a building causing injury, and two counts of using a firearm to commit a felony.
Prosecutors argued for a high bond, telling the judge that Sanders “showed no remorse [and] instead she made fun of the victim’s condition.” Judge Frank set her bond at $500,000.
In contrast to the prosecution's narrative, a woman identifying herself as Sanders' mother, Evelyn Burkes, has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for a defense attorney. In the fundraiser's description, she claims her daughter has been in an "abusive situation since 2017" and described the shooting as a "domestic abuse situation that turned into self defense."
Sanders remains in custody and is scheduled for a preliminary examination on October 14.
