SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MI – The lives of two men ended abruptly and violently after an armed confrontation inside a Shelby Township car dealership last week, leaving a community mourning and raising questions about the senseless loss.
Marvan Batoo, 40, owner of Star Auto, and Ghaith Baban, 48, a customer, were shot and killed on November 7, turning what was supposed to be an ordinary day into a tragedy for their families and friends. Batoo’s entrepreneurial spirit had helped build Star Auto into a neighborhood business, while Baban was meeting with the owner when gunfire erupted.
According to police, the suspect, Terrance Sandles, 46, arrived at the dealership upset about his recent purchase, a $3,000 used vehicle. Authorities allege that, following a heated dispute with Batoo, Sandles drew a weapon and fired at close range, striking both men. The attack was captured on surveillance video inside the dealership.
The violence claimed Batoo, described by those who knew him as a dedicated business owner, and Baban, who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Their bodies were discovered by a dealership employee returning from a delivery run, who then alerted the authorities.
After allegedly shooting both men, Sandles is accused of robbing the dealership before fleeing on foot. Investigators used neighborhood surveillance cameras to track the getaway vehicle, eventually connecting the suspect to a registered address. Cellphone data led law enforcement to a hotel in Romulus, where Sandles had been staying.
A search of Sandles’ hotel room reportedly uncovered two firearms, including one believed to have been used in the killings. Officers also recovered cash suspected of having been taken from the dealership and a large amount of cocaine.
Sandles, a Texas resident with warrants in that state on unrelated matters, was arrested the day after the double homicide. He now faces a series of serious charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of armed robbery, several firearm-related charges, and drug offenses.
The pain of the loss is acute among survivors and the broader community, as they struggle with the aftermath of the violence. Friends and family now mourn the sudden deaths of Batoo and Baban, remembering them for their contributions to the local area and their roles as colleagues, friends, and loved ones.
Sandles is currently being held without bond in the Macomb County jail. He was arraigned on Monday in the 41A District Court, with his next appearance scheduled for November 24.
Authorities say their investigation is ongoing as they continue to piece together the events leading up to the shootings and pursue justice for the victims.