A judge in Muskegon has ruled that there is sufficient evidence to proceed with a trial against Dominic Pearcy, who is now a Muskegon shooting suspect facing second-degree murder charge and a felony firearm count. The decision follows a 75-minute preliminary hearing where testimony painted a picture of a social gathering that devolved into a fatal encounter.
The case centers on the death of 28-year-old Zeke Wysong on April 25. After the incident, authorities say Pearcy fled the city of Muskegon, eventually surrendering during a phone call lasting nearly ten minutes while in Jackson, Michigan. The court has now bound the case over to circuit court, marking a critical transition in the legal process as the state moves toward a full trial.
The ruling indicates that the court found probable cause to believe a felony was committed, specifically that Pearcy either intended to kill, intended to cause great bodily harm, or acted with a knowing disregard for human life that created a very high risk of death.
A Fatal Turn During a Card Game
According to testimony from two witnesses, Jordan Roma and Derek Masterman, the events leading up to the shooting began as a night of drinking and socialization. The group had visited several downtown Muskegon bars before returning to Roma’s residence after last call.
Once at the house, Roma testified that the group continued to consume alcohol and used marijuana and cocaine into the early morning hours. While Masterman could not recall the presence of cocaine, both witnesses agreed that the atmosphere remained relatively stable until a card game was interrupted.
Witnesses testified that Pearcy stepped out of the house during the game and returned while fidgeting with a firearm. The sequence of events that followed suggests a blurring of lines between a perceived prank and a lethal act.
The Sequence of the Shooting
Derek Masterman provided a detailed account of the moments leading up to the fatality. He testified that Pearcy initially showed him the weapon while they were still at the table, asking if the gun was real. Masterman responded that it looked fake or perhaps spray-painted.
The situation escalated when Pearcy entered the kitchen. Masterman testified that he witnessed Pearcy cocking the weapon, noting that a bullet appeared to jam before Pearcy managed to slide it back into place. Masterman recalled feeling a sudden sense of alarm, stating, “Please don’t point that at me.”
Shortly thereafter, Pearcy fired a single shot, striking Zeke Wysong in the head. A death certificate for Wysong later confirmed the manner of death as homicide resulting from a gunshot wound to the head.
In a striking detail from the testimony, Masterman mentioned that he initially believed the event was a prank, as he had not known the individuals involved for very long. He compared the manner in which Pearcy fired the weapon to a scene from Donald “Childish Gambino” Glover’s “What we have is America” music video.
Jordan Roma, who heard the gunfire and saw Wysong fall, testified that he attempted to de-escalate the situation before telling Pearcy to leave the premises. Roma noted that he could not recall any specific arguments or motives that would have prompted the shooting.
Negligence vs. Intent
The legal battle now hinges on the distinction between intentional murder and criminal negligence. During the hearing, Pearcy’s defense attorney argued that there was insufficient evidence to support a murder charge, characterizing the event as “negligence at most.”
The defense contended that the heavy consumption of alcohol and drugs, combined with the lack of a clear motive or prior argument, indicated that the shooting was not a planned or intentional act. The attorney described the events as a “strange dance” that lacked the hallmarks of intent.
However, the judge rejected this characterization for the purpose of the preliminary hearing. The court determined that the evidence met the threshold for second-degree murder, noting that the act of pointing and firing a weapon at another person constitutes a knowing creation of a high risk of death.
| Legal Stage | Status/Ruling | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Hearing | Completed | Case bound to Circuit Court |
| Current Charges | 2nd Degree Murder, Felony Firearm | Trial Preparation |
| Probable Cause | Found | Formal Adjudication |
The Aftermath and Surrender
Following the shooting, Pearcy left the scene and the city of Muskegon. His surrender was not immediate; police records indicate he eventually contacted authorities from Jackson, Michigan. The surrender occurred during a phone call that lasted approximately nine and a half minutes.
The hearing concluded with a brief, emotional moment between Pearcy and his family, who exchanged blown kisses before he was escorted from the courtroom by officers.
As the case moves to the Michigan Circuit Court system, the prosecution will be tasked with proving beyond a reasonable doubt that Pearcy’s actions meet the statutory requirements for second-degree murder. The defense is expected to continue leaning into the lack of motive and the influence of controlled substances to argue for a lesser charge.
Disclaimer: This report is based on preliminary court testimony and public records. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
For those affected by violence or seeking support, resources are available through the SAMHSA National Helpline.
The next confirmed step in this case is the scheduling of arraignment and pretrial motions in circuit court. We will provide updates as official court filings become available.
Do you have insights on how the legal system handles “negligence” in firearm cases? Share your thoughts in the comments or share this story to keep the community informed.
