Pontiac, MI – A 27-year-old cold case homicide in Pontiac has been solved, according to a Thursday announcement from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. Officials say new investigative work has finally identified the suspect in the 1998 killing of 73-year-old Charles Barnett.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Barnett was found dead on April 30, 1998, inside his Corwin Street home after what investigators now believe was a surprise confrontation with a burglar. A single gunshot ended Barnett’s life, and the shooter fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle, which later crashed a short distance away. The case eventually went cold, with no suspect identified for decades.
Detectives renewed the investigation in 2020, reviewing evidence gathered by initial responders. According to Sheriff Michael Bouchard, the revived casework led detectives to identify 45-year-old Jack Anthony Young as the alleged gunman. Young, who was 18 years old at the time of the incident, was arrested this week in Mishawaka, Indiana, by the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force.
Authorities say Young has waived extradition and is expected to be brought back to Pontiac next week to face a felony murder charge. Oakland County Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald issued the warrant, calling the arrest a long-awaited step toward justice for Barnett and his family.
Investigators say linking the crash, forensic evidence, and witness information ultimately allowed them to connect Young to the homicide.
“We never give up on our pursuit of justice for victims, their families, and our community,” Bouchard said. “This case shows the importance of continually reviewing unsolved crimes.”
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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