16-Year-Old Charged in Armed Robbery on Wayne State Campus

Prosecutors seek to try teen as adult in January assault and theft incident.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A 16-year-old Detroit resident has been charged with armed robbery, unlawful imprisonment, assault with intent to do great bodily harm, and felonious assault in connection with an incident on the Wayne State University campus in January. Prosecutors are seeking to have the teen tried as an adult in the case.

Why it matters

Violent crime on college campuses is a growing concern, with students and administrators seeking to maintain a safe learning environment. This case highlights the challenges in prosecuting juvenile offenders accused of serious crimes and the debate around whether they should be tried as adults.

The details

According to prosecutors, the 16-year-old suspect approached an 18-year-old Detroit man on the university's Williams Mall around 8:15 p.m. on January 27th. The assailant produced a handgun, fired it, and then robbed the victim of a necklace before fleeing the scene. Wayne State University Police investigated the incident and arrested the suspect on February 26th.

  • The assault and robbery occurred around 8:15 p.m. on January 27, 2026.
  • The suspect was arrested by Wayne State University Police on February 26, 2026.
  • A preliminary hearing was held on March 3, 2026, and the teen was remanded to the Juvenile Detention Facility.
  • A probable cause conference is scheduled for March 9, 2026.

The players

Kym Worthy

The Wayne County Prosecutor who is pursuing charges against the 16-year-old suspect as "adult-designated".

18-year-old Detroit man

The victim of the armed robbery and assault on the Wayne State University campus.

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What they’re saying

“While the proceedings are currently in the juvenile court system, Worthy said the teenager from Detroit has been "adult-designated." That means upon sentencing, the judge can decide whether to sentence him as a juvenile, sentence him as an adult, or issue a blended order that includes an adult sentence as an option should the teenager not be rehabilitated.”

— Kym Worthy, Wayne County Prosecutor (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on March 9, 2026 whether to try the 16-year-old suspect as a juvenile or an adult.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate around how to prosecute juvenile offenders accused of serious violent crimes, with prosecutors seeking to treat the 16-year-old suspect as an adult due to the severity of the charges. The outcome could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future.