A 16-year-old in Michigan has been arrested after he sent a disturbing text message in which he said he watched a 73-year-old “gasp his last breath” after he killed the victim.
Kemaree Davis has been charged as an adult with one count each of open murder and armed robbery in connection to the December 2025 killing of Thomas Stewart.
Officers with the City of Muskegon’s Department of Public Safety responded to a home after they received a report of a man being shot, according to a press release.
First responders located a man inside the home who was suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper body. The man — who was later identified as Stewart — was eventually pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim’s wallet was found next to his body and his pockets had been turned out, implying that his killer looked through his belongings.
An investigation was launched into Stewart’s death and Davis was connected to the crime. He was then arrested one week after Stewart was killed.
Police said that Davis knew Stewart and was in the house at the time of the incident to rob him.
“I do believe Mr. Stewart knew a lot of people in his neighborhood, was friendly with a lot of people in his neighborhood, was helpful to a lot of people, so we don’t know what the nexus actually was,” Muskegon Public Safety Director Tim Kozal said during a news briefing in December 2025. “From our investigation we believe those were the only two individuals inside the house. We believe that the intent of the individual that was there with Mr. Stewart was to rob him.”
In addition to Davis being arrested, a 17-year-old suspect was also taken into custody and charged with possession of a weapon in connection with Stewart’s killing.
Prosecutors said they have collected evidence, including witness testimony, text messages and investigative findings, that all link Davis to the crime.
Davis reportedly sent concerning text messages after the killing that have been discussed during the court testimonies, according to MLive.
Some of that evidence was revealed during Davis’ preliminary examination on Thursday, March 12, when a detective reportedly testified that Davis sent his friend a text message that read, “The old man is dead. Bro, I watched him gasp his last breath.”
Authorities said that the recipient of the text is the 17-year-old who is also charged in connection with the robbery. Investigators said they obtained surveillance footage that showed Davis and the 17-year-old — whose name has not been revealed due to his age — meeting outside of Muskegon High School on the morning of the shooting before they walked in the direction of Stewart’s home.
While speaking to police after he was arrested, Davis allegedly confessed to killing Stewart and said the victim gave him $20 when he was spotted inside of the home. Davis reportedly claimed that the gun “went off” during the robbery and Stewart was killed. After Stewart was shot, Davis allegedly said he took an additional $20 from the victim’s wallet.
The 17-year-old suspect also testified during the hearing on March 12. His version of events reportedly conflicted with investigators’ accounts. For example, the teen claimed he did not remember meeting up with Davis and said he was unaware of several social media accounts that were linked to his cellphone.
MLive reported that the 17-year-old was arrested for perjury after the court hearing.
It is not currently clear if Davis or the 17-year-old have entered or pleas or retained legal representation after their arrests.
Davis is next scheduled to appear in court on January 8, 2026, for a probable cause hearing.
Read the full article here