Centerline man bound over to Macomb County Circuit Court on first degree murder charge related to shooting at Sterling Heights hotel

Mount Clemens, MI – Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido announced today that a 51-year-old Centerline man was bound over to Macomb County Circuit Court for allegedly shooting and killing a man at the Extended Stay America hotel in Sterling Heights.

It is alleged that on Saturday, February 1, 2025, Luke Svacha shot and killed 24-year-old Jajuan Marls at the Extended Stay America hotel in Sterling Heights. Svacha fled the hotel and went to his home in Centerline. He would not come out of his house when officers arrived. After hours of negotiations, Svacha finally dropped his firearm and exited his house, where he was taken into custody.

Svacha was charged with Premeditated Murder, a life without parole felony; Felony Firearm, a two-year felony, consecutive to other charges; Carrying a Concealed Weapon, a 5-year felony; and Assaulting/Resisting/Obstructing a Police Officer, a 2-year felony. 

On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, after a Preliminary Exam at the 41A District Court in Sterling Heights, MI before Judge Kimberley A. Wiegand, Svacha was bound over to the Macomb County Circuit Court on all charges except Assaulting/Resisting/Obstructing a Police Officer. The court found there was not enough evidence to proceed on that charge.  Svacha is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday, August 4, 2025, at 1:30 pm by Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Anthony R. Servitto.  Svacha is in custody at the Macomb County Jail. 

“Our priority is pursuing justice for the victim and protecting the safety of Macomb County. We will continue to move forward with this case to ensure accountability under the law,” stated Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s office represents the people.  We are committed to achieving justice and following the laws of the State of Michigan. All that are accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 

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