Authorities say a dispute over a used Hummer preceded the fatal shootings.
SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A Houston man is charged with killing the owner of Star Auto Sales and an employee inside the dealership after an argument tied to a vehicle purchase, police said Friday. The victims were found shortly after noon, and the suspect was arrested the next morning at a Romulus hotel near Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
Prosecutors identified the suspect as Terrance Jermaine Sandles, 46, of Houston. He faces two counts of first-degree murder and several related felonies. Investigators said Sandles previously disputed rust and repair issues on a Hummer he bought for about $3,000. The case moved quickly: the bodies were discovered around 12:28 p.m. Friday at the Ryan Road business, an arrest followed Saturday, and charges were announced Monday. The shootings rattled a busy commercial corridor linking neighborhoods in Macomb County, where police say evidence collected at the scene and at the hotel will feature prominently as the case advances.
Police said an employee arriving for work found owner Marvan Batoo, 40, of Shelby Township, and employee Ghaith Baban, 48, of Clinton Township, dead from gunshot wounds and called 911. Shelby Township Police Chief Robert Shelide said detectives quickly focused on Sandles, a recent customer who had argued with staff over the vehicle. According to investigators, the shooter arrived in a rented vehicle tied to a car-sharing app. Detectives initially traced the registered owner before learning the car had been rented to Sandles, which helped them locate him at a Romulus hotel. “He didn’t go in to rob,” Shelide said. “He went in to kill the owner.” Police said Baban was also shot inside the shop.
Officials said seized items include a handgun, cash and a quantity of suspected cocaine. The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office charged Sandles with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder, armed robbery, multiple weapons offenses, delivering or manufacturing a controlled substance and habitual offender notice enhancements. Authorities said the robbery count stems from events inside the business but emphasized the motive appeared rooted in the prior dispute over the Hummer. Investigators said the victims were killed inside the showroom area and that shell casings and video will be analyzed. Autopsies were ordered; results were pending Monday. Police said no other suspects are sought.
Star Auto Sales sits along the 47000 block of Ryan Road, near Auburn Road. Officers were first sent on a welfare check after relatives could not reach the men, police said. Friday’s discovery triggered a large response, with crime scene tape blocking several bays and the front entrance for hours. Detectives canvassed neighboring shops for video and witnesses, while evidence technicians marked rounds and photographed the scene. Public records show Batoo owned the business; Baban worked sales and service, according to colleagues. Community members left flowers by the door Saturday. Business owners nearby described the area as generally quiet, with steady traffic and foot customers from the surrounding neighborhoods.
Court officials said Sandles was arraigned and ordered held without bond at the Macomb County Jail. A probable cause conference is set for Nov. 24, followed by a preliminary examination expected in early December. Prosecutors said they will seek to keep the case in the high court after district court proceedings. Defense counsel had not been listed Monday. Police asked anyone with information or video from noon to midafternoon Friday along Ryan Road to contact detectives. Authorities said additional lab testing of the firearm and ballistics comparisons are underway, and a full incident report will be forwarded to the prosecutor before the next hearing.
Neighbors and customers stopped by the shop throughout the weekend. “Marvan treated us like family,” said longtime customer Lina Aziz, who left a bouquet near the front steps. A worker from a nearby tire store described hearing sirens and seeing officers move in and out of the showroom Friday. At a brief media appearance, Shelby Township leaders offered condolences to the families and thanked Romulus police for assisting with the arrest. The victims’ relatives asked for privacy as funeral plans are made. A handwritten note on the locked door read, “Closed in memory of Marvan and Ghaith.”
As of Monday evening, Sandles remained jailed without bond. The next scheduled court date is Nov. 24 for a probable cause conference in Macomb County District Court.
Author note: Last updated November 11, 2025.