Christopher Rafael Gouch faces 14 felony charges after three men were killed and four other people were wounded at an after-hours party.
DETROIT, MI — A 25-year-old Detroit man accused of killing three men and wounding four other people during an after-hours party is claiming he acted in self-defense, setting up a dispute over whether the deadly gunfire was justified or amounted to premeditated murder.
Christopher Rafael Gouch was arraigned Friday on three counts of first-degree murder, four counts of assault with intent to murder and seven counts of felony firearm. Prosecutors allege Gouch opened fire during an escalating confrontation outside a residence in the 14800 block of Prest Street on Sept. 27. His defense attorney, Ryan Robinson, told the court that Gouch was trying to help someone who was being attacked by multiple people and believed that person faced serious harm. The prosecution alleges Gouch deliberately fired multiple shots during the confrontation.
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office identified the three men killed as Ansley Harris Jr., 45, and Donahvan Gray, 36, both of Detroit, and Kevin Scott, 63, of Belleville. Prosecutors said Harris was working security at the gathering, Gray was serving as a DJ and Scott was attending the party. Four other people were wounded: a 32-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man from Redford, along with a 30-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman from Detroit.
Detroit police were dispatched to the Prest Street residence at about 7:20 a.m. Sept. 27 after reports of gunfire. Officers found Harris, Gray and Scott in a vacant lot north of the residence with gunshot wounds. Medics pronounced the three men dead. The four surviving victims were taken privately to a hospital for treatment, according to prosecutors.
Authorities say the violence began with a dispute among a group of women attending what prosecutors described as an illicit after-hours party. The argument involved a cellphone that was allegedly missing or misplaced and eventually became physical, prosecutors said. The confrontation moved outside and grew to involve other people, including the three men who were later killed and Gouch. Prosecutors allege Gouch produced a handgun and fired multiple times before leaving the scene.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said investigators believe a dispute that began over the cellphone escalated into violence involving seven shooting victims. Authorities said at least 16 shell casings were recovered during the investigation. Gouch was arrested Sept. 29, two days after the shooting. Prosecutors have said additional facts and evidence are expected to be presented during court proceedings.
Gouch’s defense disputes the prosecution’s account of the shooting as an unjustified attack. Robinson argued in court that his client intervened because another person was being assaulted by multiple people and faced potentially severe injuries. The defense contends Gouch then became involved in the confrontation himself and used his firearm in self-defense and in defense of another person. Gouch had a valid concealed pistol license and no prior criminal history, according to statements made during the court proceeding.
The self-defense argument is expected to become a central issue as the case moves forward. Prosecutors have charged Gouch with first-degree murder, which alleges premeditation, while the defense maintains that the circumstances surrounding the confrontation justified his actions. The competing accounts have not yet been tested at a preliminary examination, where prosecutors must present evidence supporting the charges. Gouch is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The shooting also brought renewed attention to the Prest Street property. Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison said after the shooting that authorities had previously received multiple calls for service connected to the address. Officials described the residence as the site of an illegal after-hours operation. Authorities have not publicly detailed the nature of all of the earlier calls to the property.
Gouch was remanded to the Wayne County Jail following his arraignment. A probable cause conference is scheduled for Oct. 9, followed by a preliminary examination scheduled for Oct. 15 before Judge Shawn Jacque. Prosecutors have said more complete evidence surrounding the confrontation will be placed on the record as the criminal case proceeds.
Author note: Last updated October 4, 2026.