Shooting suspect charged with robbery

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The 18-year-old Grand Rapids police believe to be the person who shot to death a man on a Grand Rapids sidewalk Monday night was arraigned on an armed robbery charge Wednesday.

Ali Sharif Gray is accused of robbing a man in a separate incident on Jan. 3, 2013 at Madison and Delaware SE. He was not arraigned for the homicide of 23-year-old Anthony Tompkins on Sweet Street NE Monday night.

But Gray will likely be arraigned on an open murder and felony firearm charge in the Tompkins case on Thursday. Additionally, the teen faces a separate charge of carrying a concealed weapon.

On Tuesday afternoon, Chief Kevin Belk said officers spotted a suspicious person in the area of Jefferson Avenue and Cherry Street SE Tuesday morning. They attempted to make contact with him in a parking lot when he ducked down between vehicles. They also recovered a handgun nearby.

Police arrested the man later identified as Gray.

Gray is being held without bond and if convicted faces up to life in prison. His preliminary exam is scheduled for Jan. 29.