Breylon Roberts, 21, has been charged with first degree premeditated murder in the shooting death of his older brother, Trey Cameron Roberts, 23, inside the Southfield, Michigan, home they shared. Police say jealousy over Trey’s success was behind the killing.
Video:
Prosecutors say the shooting happened on Monday, October 19, at the brothers’ home on Dorset Avenue. Nearby security footage captured the sound of 17 gunshots shortly after 12:46 p.m. According to Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren, about a minute later, the cameras showed Breylon Roberts leaving through the back of the house with the family dog and walking down the sidewalk.
Police say he briefly returned to the home, then drove to a relative’s house, where he reportedly showered.
That afternoon, the brothers’ 17 year old sister came home and found blood and what appeared to be bullets. She called 911, and officers arrived just after 3 p.m. They found Trey dead in the kitchen.
Breylon Roberts was detained after he came back to the house. Officers who searched the home with a warrant recovered 17 spent 9mm shell casings. Police say a gun found under the driver’s seat of his Jeep was matched to those casings through ballistic testing.
At a press conference on Friday, Barren said interviews with relatives and friends pointed to years of conflict between the brothers, all centered on Breylon’s belief that Trey was doing better in life.
“The conflict was reportedly related to the perceptions of the victim having greater success,” Barren said.
Investigators believe that resentment covered Trey’s success at work and the respect he had earned from family and friends. Barren said the motive reminded him of the biblical story of Cain and Abel, in which Cain kills his brother Abel out of jealousy.
“This is a heartbreaking case involving the loss of one brother at the hands of another,” Barren said.
The chief also urged families who see conflict building at home to reach out for help before it turns violent.
Breylon Roberts faces charges of first degree premeditated murder and felony firearm. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in jail without bond. If convicted of first degree murder, he faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole under Michigan law.
