Orion Township, MI – An axe-wielding intruder was fatally shot by his ex-girlfriend’s stepson Wednesday morning after breaking into her Orion Township home. Galen Gavitt, 57, of Unionville, reportedly shattered a window at the rear of the house on Elkhorn Road to gain entry.
The ex-girlfriend, 62, and her 36-year-old stepson barricaded themselves in an upstairs bedroom. Gavitt reportedly fired a shot through the bedroom door, injuring the stepson. According to Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, Gavitt then entered the room, stepping over the injured stepson to confront his ex-girlfriend, who had locked herself in an adjoining bathroom. “I’m here for (her),” Gavitt reportedly said.
The stepson, armed with a handgun, shot Gavitt in the head as he attempted to break into the bathroom. The ex-girlfriend had a valid protection order against Gavitt and had been living with her stepson since their 17-year relationship ended. On June 12, authorities had confiscated two weapons from Gavitt’s home under Michigan’s red flag law.
Deputies responded to the scene and attempted life-saving measures on Gavitt, but he was pronounced dead. The incident remains under investigation, and no charges have been filed against the stepson, who stated that Gavitt had threatened to kill them.
