---
title: "Oak Park Man Charged in Madison Heights Spirit Halloween Shooting"
url: https://www.heredetroitmi.com/2026/11/03/murder-charge-madison-heights-spirit-halloween-shooting/
date: 2026-11-03T06:50:06-05:00
modified: 2026-11-03T06:50:06-05:00
author: "Oswaldo Ross"
categories: ["Crime"]
site: "HERE Detroit"
attribution: "HERE Detroit"
---

# Oak Park Man Charged in Madison Heights Spirit Halloween Shooting

> MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. — A 21-year-old Oak Park man faces a first-degree premeditated murder count in the deadly Oct. 30 shooting of a Detroit man at the entrance of a Spirit Halloween store in Madison Heights. Madison Heights police said John Benson and Anthony Thompson, both 21, met at the front of the store shortly

*Source: [HERE Detroit](https://www.heredetroitmi.com/2026/11/03/murder-charge-madison-heights-spirit-halloween-shooting/) — November 3, 2026 by Oswaldo Ross*

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. — A 21-year-old Oak Park man faces a first-degree premeditated murder count in the deadly Oct. 30 shooting of a Detroit man at the entrance of a Spirit Halloween store in Madison Heights.

Madison Heights police said John Benson and Anthony Thompson, both 21, met at the front of the store shortly after 2 p.m. Friday. Police said Benson pulled a gun and fired several shots at Thompson, who died later at a hospital. No one else was hurt.

The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office reviewed the case and filed a first-degree premeditated murder count against Benson along with a felony-firearm count. A first-degree premeditated murder conviction carries life without parole, and the firearm count adds a mandatory two years served before the murder term.

Police said Benson was hurt by members of Thompson’s family as officers took him into custody. After hospital care for those injuries, he went back into custody.

Benson was arraigned Monday, Nov. 2, and held without bond. His next court date is Nov. 18.