Windsor Nightclub Shooting Victim Takes Stand in High-Profile Jury Trial
A Michigan man who was shot during a late-night altercation outside a downtown Windsor nightclub in 2023 became the first witness for the prosecution this week in a jury trial of two men facing multiple criminal charges. The victim, Raphell Holland, provided dramatic testimony about the events that led to his injury, revealing that he was attempting to act as a peacemaker when the violent confrontation escalated.
"They Said They Were Going to Blow My Brains Out"
Holland told the 13-person jury in a Windsor courtroom on Tuesday that he was leaving a nightclub in the 500 block of Ouellette Avenue with his girlfriend shortly before 2 a.m. on May 13, 2023, when he encountered a physical altercation already in progress outside. According to his testimony, the situation initially de-escalated, but then took a dangerous turn when two men prevented him from reaching his car and began uttering threats.
"One of them brandished a handgun with a green laser sight," Holland testified, setting the stage for what would become a violent attack moments later.
Crown's Opening Statement Details Violent Sequence
In his opening address to the jury, assistant Crown attorney Emile Carrington outlined the prosecution's theory of the case. According to Carrington, one of the defendants chased Holland down, struck him in the head with a firearm, pointed the gun at him, and then shot him in the left foot. The second defendant then approached Holland as he lay injured on the ground and kicked him in the head.
The prosecution alleges that Ezechiel Thompson, 23, struck and shot Holland, while Silbert Caron, 26, then kicked him in the head. Both men face multiple criminal counts, including discharging a firearm with intent and other assault and firearm-related charges.
Victim's Injuries and Recovery
Carrington told the court that Holland suffered bruising to his head and had "a bullet hole all the way through his foot," injuries that required multiple surgical procedures over the ensuing months. The victim's testimony provided jurors with a firsthand account of the physical and emotional impact of the violent encounter.
Police Investigation and Arrests
The Crown's opening statement revealed additional details about the events surrounding the shooting. According to Carrington, Thompson and Caron were part of a group that had arrived at the nightclub in a white limousine on the night of May 12. Following the shooting in the early hours of the next day, the two men allegedly fled the scene on foot.
Police located the limousine on Erie Street and Ouellette Avenue at 2:37 a.m., approximately 42 minutes after the first altercation. Three passengers and the driver were apprehended at that time. The driver was later released without charges, while the three men were charged with being an occupant in a motor vehicle knowing that it contained a prohibited firearm.
Trial Proceedings and Context
The Superior Court of Justice trial before Justice Maria Carroccia is scheduled for two weeks and began with Holland's testimony about the tense confrontation that preceded the shooting. The case highlights ongoing concerns about nightclub violence and firearm-related incidents in urban centers.
Carrington emphasized to jurors that Holland's initial involvement outside the nightclub was that of "just trying to be a peacemaker," a characterization that adds complexity to the narrative of what might otherwise be viewed as a straightforward violent encounter. The trial continues as the prosecution works to prove its case against the two defendants.
