Detroit man narrowly avoids prison for library shooting in Hillsdale
HILLSDALE — The Detroit man narrowly avoided a prison term from a shooting at Hillsdale Community Library at the beginning of the year.
Jeremiah Da Michael Broady, 19, pleaded no contest to assault with a dangerous weapon — a crime punishable by up to four years in prison in Michigan — on Sept. 12 as part of a plea agreement deal. Charges of felony firearm and two counts of assault with intent to commit murder were dismissed.
Judge Sara Lisznyai said at the Nov. 21 sentencing hearing that advisory sentencing guidelines recommended a sentence range from 5-23 months, meaning she could technically send Broady to prison.
More:Detroit man pleads no contest to Jan. 2021 library shooting
“Something put you at our local library with a gun … one of the centers of our community … a safe place for people and their children,” Lisznyai said. “You changed that. This community was in shock and fear after this happened.”
A police report used to establish a factual basis for the no contest plea Sept. 12 indicated two men from Hillsdale agreed to meet with Broady on Jan. 21, 2021, in the library to purchase narcotics and something went terribly wrong during the transaction. Broady was seen on security cameras opening fire from a handgun on the vehicle the two men arrived in as they fled west from the library.
A second shooting scene was discovered near the intersection of Bacon Street and Spring Street on the outskirts of town.
No injuries were reported in the incident and shell casings from a 9mm handgun were discovered in an alley near the library parking lot. The two men later returned to town and made contact with police. Their car was riddled with bullet holes.
“He wants to comply and I think he can comply (with probation terms),” said Broady's attorney, James Daly.
Broady also spoke on his own behalf, saying that he wants to finish his high school education and be successful in life.
“I’m not like … I know I got some learning to do,” Broady said. “People make mistakes.”
Subcribe Now:For all the latest local developments, breaking news and high school sports content.
Lisznyai noted that although Broady has a juvenile criminal record, this was his first conviction as an adult.
Hillsdale County Prosecutor Neal Brady said Broady also committed a shooting as a juvenile.
Imposing sentencing, Lisznyai opted to give Broady a chance to turn his life around, mainly because of his youth.
“Please don’t let this be a mistake,” Lisznyai said.
— Corey Murray is the Public Safety Reporter for The Hillsdale Daily News, Sturgis Journal and The Daily Reporter. Contact him by email at cmurray@hillsdale.net or follow him on Twitter: @cmurrayHDN.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Detroit man narrowly avoids prison for library shooting in Hillsdale
