A man accused in a road rage murder earlier this year has now been charged in the shooting death of prominent Detroit neurosurgeon Devon Hoover in April 2023.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced Wednesday that Desmond Burks, 34, shot Hoover twice in the back of the head, wrapped him in a sheet, and shoved his body into an attic in his home, then went on to steal nearly $100,000 in cash and other valuables, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Burks has been charged with first-degree, premeditated murder, felony murder, larceny of $20,000, using a computer to commit a crime, felon in possession of a firearm, and three counts of felony firearm.
“The loss of Dr. Hoover remains a tragedy that has left a void in our community,” Detroit Police Chief James White said.
Hoover’s family said in a statement that the arrest was “a step towards justice” but that they also “feel the loss of Devon once again.”
“He was an exceptional man — a doctor, brother, son, uncle, and friend who invested in our lives with unwavering kindness and generosity. Although nothing will ever reverse our loss, we are grateful that someone will be held accountable for Devon’s death,” the statement said. “We continue to rest in faith that God’s goodness will prevail over this tragedy.”
Police found Hoover, 53, in his home on April 23 after family members requested a welfare check when he failed to appear at a family gathering, as CrimeOnline reported. There were no signs of forced entry, leading police to believe that Hoover knew his killer.
Worthy, in fact, said they were acquainted and appeared to have been intimate. Investigators found more than 4,000 text messages exchanged between them.
Hoover’s cell phone, wallet, money, credit cards, and watches were missing when his body was found. Search warrants uncovered both designer watches at homes associated with Burks.
Police said Burks also quickly began making fraudulent transactions with Hoover’s credit cards and apps.
Burks was arrested in April and charged with second degree murder after he allegedly punched a 67-year-old man during a road rage incident and left him on the ground to die. Worthy said that the case against him for Hoover’s death was in process at that time but was “nowhere near ready” for charges.
“We take our time. On cases that we can charge quickly, we charge quickly. In cases that we can’t, it doesn’t matter to me what people say — we’re going to take our time to make sure that we get it right,” Worthy said.
The Free Press noted that the case against Burks covers 181 pages and involved five states and three countries.
