Jeffrey Ziegler Who Shot At 14-Year Old Brennan Walker Found Guilty of Two Charges

In April 2018, in the Detroit suburb of Rochester Hills, Brennan Walker missed his school bus.  His mom had taken his cell phone from him the night before, so he could not call or get a map to school.  He attempted to follow the path of the school bus but became lost.  He went to a house, rung the bell, and Jeffrey Ziegler grabbed a loaded shotgun.  Brennan ran, and Jeffrey took a shot at Brennan’s back.  Fortunately, he missed.

For more background on the case, see the post at this link.

Ziegler was charged with assault with intent to murder and felony firearms. The jury was given instructions on a lesser charge of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder.  It took the jury three hours of deliberation to find Ziegler guilty of the lesser charge.  It carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.  Ziegler was also found guilty of possessing a firearm in the commission of a felony. which has a mandatory sentence of two years in prison.

If Zeigler’s previous incidents with the law are allowed and considered at his sentencing hearing, he might receive a stiff sentence.  In 2004, police in Warren, Michigan arrested Zeigler on accusations that he shot “at a car in a road rage incident on I-696,” Fox 2 Detroit reported. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in that case and was placed on one year probation, fines, and court costs.

Sentencing is set for Nov. 13 before Oakland County Circuit Judge Wendy Potts.

During trial, Zeigler took the stand in his own defense.  He alleged that his intent was to fire a warning shot upward rather than to hurt Brennan.  Zeigler also testified that he stumbled on the wet pavement and fired before he wanted to.  Surveillance video contradicted Zeigler’s testimony.