Murder suspect still at large after potential standoff ends

LANSING - A murder suspect is still at large after police surrounded a north Lansing home for hours on Friday, preparing for a standoff that never happened.

The incident began around 4:30 p.m., when officers from the Lansing Police Department and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives went to the 900 block of North Walnut Street in search of Marcell D'Jon Davis, Lansing police Chief Mike Yankowski said.

As the officers closed in, a man they believed to be Davis ran toward the 900 block of North Capitol Avenue, where they were told he had entered a residence, the chief said.

Police blocked off sections of Kilborn Street and Capitol Avenue, north of Oakland Avenue, and surrounded the house. They brought in negotiators and tried to make contact with anyone inside.

Hours later, members of the Lansing department's tactical team entered the home and searched it thoroughly, Yankowski said. Davis was not inside.

"We don't believe he's in this neighborhood," the chief said. "We're not going to stop looking for him until he's taken into custody or turns himself in. We've been in contact with others, asking they encourage him to turn himself in."

Three people at the residence were taken into custody after officers arrived but were later released, Yankowski said.

Davis, 21, is wanted in connection with the Nov. 21 shooting death of 27-year-old Matthew Ryan Smoke, police said. Smoke was killed  in the 3000 block of South Washington Street.

Derabian Carthell, 24, of Lansing, has already been arraigned on murder, armed robbery and weapons charges in connection with the same incident.

On Friday, police maintained a perimeter around the house on Capitol Avenue for hours, believing Davis may have been inside. Mobile command units and a Lansing Fire Department ambulance were staged nearby, and a Michigan State Police helicopter circled the area for an hour or more.

"We want to take every precaution, especially when were dealing with someone who has an open warrant for murder," Yankowski said. "All of our efforts are thorough. We're asking that anyone who has information about Davis to contact us immediately. He is still considered armed and dangerous."

Yankowski said Lansing officers were working with ATF agents on leads when they came across someone who matched Davis' description. He fled as officers were closing in, before they could make contact with him, the chief said.

Contact Ken Palmer at (517) 377-1032 or kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @KBPalm_lsj.