Minister shot in head returns to scene

GAINES TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - A year after being shot in the head, MarShon Peoples returned to the youth ministry building where he was nearly killed.

Peoples went there to do exactly what he was doing the night of the shooting in January 2012 -- minister to the area's troubled youth.

Going back wasn't easy.

"Police found 33 shell casings on these premises," Peoples told youth at the Streams of Hope Ministry recreation building last week. He passed around a bullet that he keeps -- the one that doctors removed from his head.

After making the short trip from his home to the Streams of Hope building, Peoples was emotional as he entered the building with his wife at his side. A small group of young men was gathered to hear him speak.

Getting out of ministry never crossed Peoples' mind after the shooting, he said, adding that he's glad he was there the night of the shooting to prevent something worse from happening.

Peoples said he has forgiven the young man who pleaded guilty to shooting him. He said the shooter apologized at his sentencing hearing and said that the bullet was not intended to hit Peoples.

Peoples is one of several panelists that will participate in a WOOD TV8 special program entitled Beyond the Violence Thursday evening. The show is set to air at 7 p.m. on WOOD TV.

Peoples said he hopes the show enhances the conversation about doing something about violence in the area and that he hopes the issues remain in the forefront.

Many believe that Peoples saved lives when he confronted the group of young men in the parking lot before they entered the room where some 100 young people were gathered. He now implores youth to do the same for themselves by not resorting to violence.

"If I'm willing to do it for you. You've got to be willing to do it for you," Peoples said.