Pontiac man convicted of fatal shooting in Auburn Hills hotel – The Oakland Press

Archive photo. (Stephen Frye / MediaNews Group)

A Pontiac man was convicted Monday of murdering an Auburn Hills man last year.

After a three-day trial, 12 jurors convicted 24-year-old Malcolm Otis Draper Jr. of first-degree murder and illegal possession of a firearm.

On December 5, 2023, he was charged with murder and aggravated weapon misuse after shooting death of 47-year-old Anthony Russell Holcomb of Auburn Hills.

Draper had hired Holcomb for some painting work, but on December 2, 2023, he visited Holcomb at the extended stay hotel Suburban Studios, 1180 Doris Road in Auburn Hills.

Testimony during the trial showed that the two argued over paint in the victim’s room and a physical altercation ensued. During the altercation, Draper shot the victim in the neck and fled with the paint. Draper called police after the shooting; Holcomb died at a nearby hospital.

Assistant District Attorney Rob Novy led the prosecution’s trial team.

Oakland County District Attorney Karen McDonald called Holcomb’s death a “senseless murder over a trivial argument.”

“Even if this verdict does not bring back the victim’s life, I hope it brings some peace to the victim’s family and loved ones,” she said.

Draper will remain in the Oakland County Jail pending sentencing on September 4 at 2 p.m. before Oakland County District Judge Michael Warren. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.